The Great SI (Shape index) experiment

[CABINHOLLOWNC]

The other olive egg didn't hatch. It was the one that I speculated would be a pullet as it was between the highest and lowest numbers.

Here are the littles...I ended up with 2 black, 3 splash and 3 blue:

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

The other olive egg didn't hatch. It was the one that I speculated would be a pullet as it was between the highest and lowest numbers.

Here are the littles...I ended up with 2 black, 3 splash and 3 blue:
View attachment 1280175 View attachment 1280176 View attachment 1280178 View attachment 1280179 View attachment 1280180 View attachment 1280181 View attachment 1280182
View attachment 1280174

They’re so cute!

 

[Nksg75]

Ok, just wanted to update on the progress so far. I am on day 10, and most of the 35 are developing. I think I see about 2-3 clears. Of course the OE shells are so dark, and all I have is a flashlight, so they are really difficult for me.
Last night I noticed my workhorse Brinsea eco was not holding temps high enough. Hmm??
So I used the Brinsea spot check and according to that it shows that some parts of the incubator is 99.6 and the area right below the fan is 97.8.
The glass thermometer shows 95, and it has never led me astray before.
I unhooked it from the top and check to make sure the liquid wasn't the problem. I shook it to make it go down, then put it back in and it went up a bit more to 97. I am researching what could be the problem. I have the option of transferring all the eggs to the other incubator I have up and running with all the eggs that wouldn't fit into the brinsea, however I wouldn't have enough room for them all in the auto turner.
Hmm... I am torn with what to do. I think I should transfer them all to the other incubator, and the ones that don't fit will have to be set on the side of the the turner.

 

[Nksg75]

Ok, so this morning I woke up and magically the brinsea was back to normal.
The glass thermometer was back up to where it should be. I think I figured out what happened. I believe I may have moved the glass thermometer and it must have been touching the plastic, and in doing this, it also was pushing on the thermostat that is right next to it.
So no transfers of eggs from one place to another!!

 

[JaeG]

Ok, so this morning I woke up and magically the brinsea was back to normal.
The glass thermometer was back up to where it should be. I think I figured out what happened. I believe I may have moved the glass thermometer and it must have been touching the plastic, and in doing this, it also was pushing on the thermostat that is right next to it.
So no transfers of eggs from one place to another!!

Phew! That makes life much easier for you.

 

[aart]

Without using sexlinks, you'll have to wait 6 weeks(or more) to ID genders?

 

[CABINHOLLOWNC]

Without using sexlinks, you'll have to wait 6 weeks(or more) to ID genders?

Yep...LOL! I'd already set my eggs before I found this thread so I was already committed to waiting to find out what I hatched. It would be awesome if someone had some sexlinks to hatch!!

 

[Nksg75]

Without using sexlinks, you'll have to wait 6 weeks(or more) to ID genders?

Yes, very true. Unfortunately I did try to hatch some previously that were from Papa's Poultry (they were autosexing OE), they were all DIS on day 22.
So this time I ordered OE from a much closer source.
As of now Day 13 there are 31 eggs developing and going strong!!
I was completely amazed with the packing job on these eggs! Only 1 or 2 jiggly aircells!! The rest were intact, and so I started turning them on day 2.
I do have a few CCL eggs in the bunch. So at least I will know with those eggs.

 

[Nksg75]

Ok, just an update on progress..
We are on day 15!!!
I finally got around to the math part of this expierement!! Ahhh!!
Here is what I have.
If anyone sees a mistake, please let me know so I can correct it.
I of course had to display my new table top before she gets her annual buzz cut! Since my new table will be in charge of protecting the chicks while they play outside, it's only right, that she get her 2 secs of fame!!
Ok, enough about the awesome Guardian Aussie(did I mention I have 2 guardian Aussies?)
Ok, ok...
Here is the pics...

I am not quite sure how I want to split the SI %, what I mean, is I like to separate the eggs in different hatchers, however I have a smaller brinsea Octogan eco, so I am limited on space in that one.
I then have another hatcher, that can fit the remaining eggs.
Both are very reliable hatchers, so any advice on where to draw that line?
Normally I would draw it right down the middle, however with the brinsea, it gets crowded very quickly.
**also note I did not cross off the 4 eggs that were clear on day 10.
I still have 31 very active viable eggs as of tonight!!!
So if I get down to 30 by lockdown, I would like to have the smaller amount in the brinsea!!

 

[CABINHOLLOWNC]

Your "table top" is beautiful and looks very sweet!

Here is my opinion/delusional rambling thoughts on how to compare and split.
I'd compare the eggs by breed rather than comparing all of the SI numbers as I believe that each breed lays a different size egg. I know my ISA Browns lay much bigger eggs than my Ameraucuana and my Olive egger lays bigger eggs than my Faverolles...so, I believe that comparing eggs by breed/hen would be more accurate.

The 8 little monsters I hatched are all doing great! I'll get some pictures of them next week. They are growing like little weeds!