The 7th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-A-Long!

[ChickenGrass]

With the humidity
Could you buy a humidity pump?
Goodluck

 

[NotAFarm]

I just realized I will be out of town days 12-17. As long as we don't lose power (typically don't), our incubator holds temps well - but maintaining humidity is a bit more challenging. I would still like to do the hatch-a-long, but I've decided against swedish flower or frizzle/americauna eggs and think we'll try a grocery store hatch

I was thinking Trader Joes, but could also stop at Fresh Market or Publix. I am assuming I just get "organic free range eggs" - is that correct? I have not bought grocery store eggs in a couple years - but the last time I was at TJ the manager insisted to me that TJ STOPPED carrying fertile eggs - I was thinking the just stopped carrying BRANDED fertile eggs -

anyway - advice/recommendations are appreciated. Thanks

I, too, will be out of town for part of the incubation time and that is why I will be trying to get a pullet or hen or two or four

to sit at the right time. I don't have a "self operating incubator" or anyone that would incubate for me so broodies are my only hope.

As long as the relative humidity in the room where the incubator is located is not too dry, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Since you will be back in time to raise the humidity for hatching, they should hatch okay.
Do you normally have trouble keeping your humidity level steady?

The Trader Joe's stores in Illinois don't sell labeled fertile eggs and the free range ones I got and set did not develop. You would be better looking at your local Craig's List or check localharvest.org and put your zip in to see if there is anyone around you that sells eggs. Call and see if they have a rooster in their flock of layers.

 

[caeti21]

Day 13 on my second test hatch for the Easter hatch a long. First one 75% hatch rate. But decided to do a second you can never be to sure!!

 

[TJordan]

Candled all 12 of the eggs in the bator last night and as far as I can tell they all have a nice looking air sac, some beautiful, vains, and movement lots of it. Keeping fingers crossed it keeps on this smooth. MUCH better than the last bunch. only 3 survivors. 

on another note, anyone have any ideas on how to promote a hen to go broody and also what signs (other then the obvious laying on the eggs) do I look for to see if she is broody?

You will know. She will puff up at you when you go near the best area. She will stay there for HOURS barking at anyone who invaded her space. Oh and watch out for the terribly big, smelly poops. You will know

 

[S5apiotrowski]

I, too, will be out of town for part of the incubation time and that is why I will be trying to get a pullet or hen or two or four

to sit at the right time. I don't have a "self operating incubator" or anyone that would incubate for me so broodies are my only hope.

As long as the relative humidity in the room where the incubator is located is not too dry, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Since you will be back in time to raise the humidity for hatching, they should hatch okay.
Do you normally have trouble keeping your humidity level steady?

The Trader Joe's stores in Illinois don't sell labeled fertile eggs and the free range ones I got and set did not develop. You would be better looking at your local Craig's List or check localharvest.org and put your zip in to see if there is anyone around you that sells eggs. Call and see if they have a rooster in their flock of layers.

In the past, humidity has not been an issue -- but I was forgetting to remove the ventilation plug. I have a batch going now, and humidity is very low and water is evaporating quickly - but I am letting the humidity run low because they are very dark eggs (mostly BCM). I'll be doing my day 14 candle today - will see how it goes.

 

[Humbug3445]

Thats a lot of hatching you must have a big farm. What do you do with all those chicks? I have a very small place and . I live in tbe city to no roosters. I have. Some chickens that are screamers they just walk around and scream. Omg they are doi g it now and im in the house and i can hear them. They ate the grass out of my back yard. And the. The roots! I have a dirt back yard nothing to cut this summer no grass.

 

[KYTinpusher]

Day 13 on my second test hatch for the Easter hatch a long. First one 75% hatch rate. But decided to do a second you can never be to sure!!

I am on day 18, 14, 10, 8, 6, 4, and 2 of my test hatches.

 

[FridayYet]

 I am on day 18, 14, 10, 8, 6, 4, and 2 of my test hatches. 

LOL. That's great!

 

[TJordan]

 I am on day 18, 14, 10, 8, 6, 4, and 2 of my test hatches. 

how many sets do you have going?!!

 

[KYTinpusher]

how many sets do you have going?!!

7 at the moment, total of 34 eggs. I am setting every few days, but a lot of them are still infertile.

I just keep filling it up as I pull the clears. But the Isbars are fertile!

Things are looking up in the project pen, though. My project cockerel is accomplishing his duty with at least one of the girls in the pen. Unfortunately she is not part of the project.

Maybe I should change my project to a chocolate fibromelanistic green egg layer that may be split for woolly (silkied). Hmmm.....