The Old Folks Home

[chickadoodles]

I really hope we can help you!

There are a bunch of very good hatch a holics on this thread.

Did the chicks that hatched hatch on time?

I just finished hosting the NYD hatch a long and you would be amazed at how many had multiple thermometer that were way wrong. Most thermometers are not accurate enough--They can be 5 degrees off, both up and down. Safe incubation is 99.5, one degree above and below so 98.5 to 100.5 is ideal. Incubator warehouse type thermometers are better but the Brinsea spot check is the gold standard.

@ChickenCanoe has a link to thermometers that are just as good so maybe he will jump in here and help.

I know most focus on humidity, but Temperature is actually the leading cause of Shrink wrap(Heat is lost when you open the incubator too). Too low of a temperature will make the chick hatch slower. Shrink wrap comes from the shell drying out and if the chick sits too long the membrane will dry not matter what humidity used. That and it will be weak from not developing correctly and will not have enough energy to break out.

I did find that the thermometer I used most last summer with the hygrometer is off by quite a bit. But I did a test on the others and they all read the same on each test.
So I am hoping I will get better results with these. Some of the chicks did hatch on time but most did not hatch. Out of 12 I only had 4 to hatch. Or out of 6 or 9 I would get 2 or 3 to hatch. I tried like crazy to get my styrofoam bator to 99.5 but it either goes from 98 to 100? I don't know what to do about that. I looked all over for thermometers and only found a few 2 from walmart and two from pet smart and I bought them all!
So if they don't hatch on time then what Ron?

 

[ronott1]

I did find that the thermometer I used most last summer with the hygrometer is off by quite a bit. But I did a test on the others and they all read the same on each test.
So I am hoping I will get better results with these. Some of the chicks did hatch on time but most did not hatch. Out of 12 I only had 4 to hatch. Or out of 6 or 9 I would get 2 or 3 to hatch. I tried like crazy to get my styrofoam bator to 99.5 but it either goes from 98 to 100? I don't know what to do about that. I looked all over for thermometers and only found a few 2 from walmart and two from pet smart and I bought them all!
So if they don't hatch on time then what Ron?

Hatch time is used to determine if the temperature was too low or too high. Early hatching would mean too high. Late hatching means the temperature was too low.

Too low causes the hatch problems you saw last year.

Also, 100 is a good temperature for the first 18 days. then 98 is perfect for hatching. Your incubator is smarter than you know!

 

[chickadoodles]

Hatch time is used to determine if the temperature was too low or too high. Early hatching would mean too high. Late hatching means the temperature was too low.

Too low causes the hatch problems you saw last year.

Also, 100 is a good temperature for the first 18 days. then 98 is perfect for hatching. Your incubator is smarter than you know!

Thank you Ron! Here's hoping

 

[ronott1]

@Arielle

It has been a rough day on the threads today. Threads like this one an the California Northern thread keep me here.

Sorry about the person on the Production thread.

 

[Arielle]

@Arielle

It has been a rough day on the threads today. Threads like this one an the California Northern thread keep me here.

Sorry about the person on the Production thread.

IThanks Ron.

T's been a long time coming with that person, and that was on top of the nonsense at the heritage thread. Oh well! I still have the buckeye thread to jazz up my . . angst lol

 

[Arielle]

Quote:

 

[ronott1]

IThanks Ron.

T's been a long time coming with that person, and that was on top of the nonsense at the heritage thread. Oh well! I still have the buckeye thread to jazz up my . . angst lol

Yes, I am perplexed by the Heritage thread. I find very valuable information on it but man o man! Where did Fred and Wynette go? A couple of members tried to get it back on track so Kudos to them!

 

[Arielle]

Several people have given up on that thread in the past. TOo bad, many great experienced breeders with much to share. Oh well.

 

[chickadoodles]

I have made my list and I am going to put in my order for my birds this morning! I am so excited! I am going to delay shipment till Feb. 28th so that we can build new brooders and pens for the new birds.
Here is what I am ordering:
Light Brahama's
Buff Orps
Buckeye's (edited to change to Buckeyes)

Bourbon Red Turkey I am ordering 10.
I also wanted some Standard Bronze but they won't start laying till March. So I will have to wait...

 

[ronott1]

I have made my list and I am going to put in my order for my birds this morning! I am so excited! I am going to delay shipment till Feb. 28th so that we can build new brooders and pens for the new birds.
Here is what I am ordering:
Light Brahama's
Buff Orps
Buckeye's (edited to change to Buckeyes)

Bourbon Red Turkey I am ordering 10.
I also wanted some Standard Bronze but they won't start laying till March. So I will have to wait...

Sounds Good!