The 8th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long!!!!

[Wickedchicken6]

@Wickedchicken6, do the eggs you've had hatch this way usually take the same amount of time to hatch, or do they take longer? It's the morning of Day 21 for my babies and not a single pip yet...wondering if they'll be delayed because they weren't turned...?

I don't believe they took extra time. I'll double check in the pics I took of the hatches.

 

[The Cottages]

Hello All.

The excitement has already started to build in one of our Assisted Homes. because I decided to build a new incubator. Last year we used the first incubator I ever made to hatch, ( small Coleman Cooler ) see link for my builds. ( https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/homemade-incubator-4 ) I used the same formula for this latest one. repurposed mini frig. Turned it on for the first time yesterday held temp very well ( temp shown is just being turned on) here are some pics. Cheers!

 

[neweggss]

ill be setting them

 

[Glaseria]

Hi, @glaseria! I'm not a seasoned hatcher yet to give you a lot of technical advice. I will say that I have a space heater in my spare room where I incubate and I've never had a problem with temps. It should keep your humidity low to run a heater in there, since they dry out the air...but you said you haven't added any water? Hmm. Is it humid where you live? That might have something to do with it. Sorry I couldn't be of more help, I'm still technically a newbie, this is my first year hatching. Hope you get it stabilized!

Yes thank you! And I hope you do well on your first hatch as well! It's our first time too!

Heat rises, so the hottest part of the room will be above the heater when it is on. This would account for the temperature spikes. Move the heater at least 6 feet away from the incubator and if it has a fan, do not point it directly at the incubator. Washing the incubator before you use it is good, just let in run for at least 24 hours with no added water to help it dry out. You can put a plate of dry rice in it to help absorb the excess moisture. You should get a back-up hygrometer (or 2 or 3) to check the accuracy of the digital one on the incubator. A couple of extra thermometers are a good idea, too.  (ETA - I haven't had my coffee yet!) Good luck with your hatch!   

Thank you! I didn't even think of that! I will move the heater immediately! And Thank you so much for those ideas! I'll have to try those out when I get a replacement unit! It turns out my hubby did add water hence the high humidity but last night the cord kept having power go in and out while I was standing there checking on it and the display was going on and off. Now in the morning it's completely dead. I will contact to company and get a replacement. I've read some reviews where that had to happen. Maybe it got damaged in the snow storm in transit who knows. Either way now I don't have time to do quail as a trial run before I put in the ducks for the hatch-a-long Easter event. Oh well. We shall have to wait and see.

Sincerely,
Your Fellow Homesteader,
Glaseria

...

 

[NotAFarm]

Hello All.

The excitement has already started to build in one of our Assisted Homes. because I decided to build a new incubator. Last year we used the first incubator I ever made to hatch, ( small Coleman Cooler ) see link for my builds. ( https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/homemade-incubator-4 ) I used the same formula for this latest one. repurposed mini frig. Turned it on for the first time yesterday held temp very well ( temp shown is just being turned on) here are some pics. Cheers!

What a great job you did! The view should be great with that big window.

What keeps the newly hatched chicks from falling down beyond the turner?

 

[The Cottages]

The turner is removed at Lockdown, ( day 18). there is 1/4" mesh wire under the turner that is attached to the frig rack below, no way for little feet to get caught, the mesh continues up the vertical divider rack separating the mechanical side of the incubator.

 

[NotAFarm]

I figured it had to be something like that. Great design!
I look forward to more pictures!

 

[Wickedchicken6]

Quote: Unfortunately I see I don't have many pics of when eggs were set. I guess I was combining and not in very much...lol. The pics I do have and the posts I mentioned seem to indicate the chicks hatched relatively on time, especially for the old eggs and for staggered hatches.

I hope yours do well and start popping out like popcorn!

 

[KYTinpusher]

Hi Mary! How is Cupcake?

 

[ronott1]

HI Lindsey, if you've had the temperature and humidity on target, there's a good chance that your chicks will hatch just fine. You could have done far worse, so don't beat yourself up. Be positive and enjoy your hatch.

The temp and humidity has been great, so I'm hoping they'll be OK. Wiggling eggs is a good sign, so I'll just keep an eye on them and keep you guys updated. Thanks for the encouragement!

Originally Posted by Wickedchicken6


Wriggling is a good sign! I've done a couple of hatches with no turning (except candling) and no turning older eggs and still got chicks. I think you have a decent chance of getting chicks.

Not turning or not turning enough can cause some embryos to die at day 7-10. Those that make it past that point will hatch but they may be sticky because of not absorbing the yolk as well as normal.

Watch for stuck chicks and you might need to wash a couple of them.

Post pictures when they hatch!