Tis Time for a March 2020 Hatch-a-long!

[LilyD]

I’m on Day 9. Yesterday’s candling gave me the confidence boost to not mess with them today or til Day 14 or 18 really.

You just have to settle for staring lovingly through the top of the incubator and talking to the babies while they work on growing.

 

[LilyD]

I've been watching candling videos to get my fix I did a quick candle on one egg today because I had to change out the egg plate in the bator since the correct one arrived today (woohoo!). Air cell looked good, yolk is now visible so I'm taking that as a good sign. I read that on white eggs you can sometimes see tiny "spider veins" at this stage (D4), but I didn't see any. Hoping to see some "beans" on Sunday!

It's easier to see after day 7 I usually candle day 10 day 18 and that's it unless there is a problem for some reason.

 

[gmjarvi]

It's easier to see after day 7 I usually candle day 10 day 18 and that's it unless there is a problem for some reason.

Yep, my plan is to candle all of them on D7, D10, and D18, then lockdown! I have a feeling D18-21 are going to take forever

 

[LilyD]

Yep, my plan is to candle all of them on D7, D10, and D18, then lockdown! I have a feeling D18-21 are going to take forever

Yes they certainly do. I have three that are supposed to hatch today anytime now...

 

[Mosey2003]

I rarely candle before day 18, it can be done It is hard though.

I'm sure I'll end up doing at least my first batch on day 7 this year though, because I'm doing so many that I'll want to pull clears as early as possible. But overall, I like being very hands-off about it.

 

[hysop]

You just have to settle for staring lovingly through the top of the incubator and talking to the babies while they work on growing.

Okay phew I’m not a crazy lady for talking to my eggs. I talk to my growing seedlings too.

 

[hysop]

I think the more I incubate eggs the more I’ll probably let them be longer. I’m hoping that’s how it will go at least

My eggs are common breeds, white leghorn, olive eggers and black jersey giants. Does that make it easier to hatch than rare breeds or it’s all depending on how well it was fertilized and the temperature and humidity and quality of eggs?

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I think the more I incubate eggs the more I’ll probably let them be longer. I’m hoping that’s how it will go at least

My eggs are common breeds, white leghorn, olive eggers and black jersey giants. Does that make it easier to hatch than rare breeds or it’s all depending on how well it was fertilized and the temperature and humidity and quality of eggs?

It's not necessarily how common or rare the breed is that makes hatching more difficult, though there are definitely some breeds with genetic traits that reduce hatchability. How the flock is managed, how the eggs are handled and stored, how old the eggs are, how far the eggs traveled, altitude changes, even the time of year, can all have an effect.

 

[Jules929]

The eggs have arrived! The dozen I wasn't expecting until tomorrow actually showed up before the other two.

 

[gmjarvi]

I rarely candle before day 18, it can be done It is hard though.

I'm sure I'll end up doing at least my first batch on day 7 this year though, because I'm doing so many that I'll want to pull clears as early as possible. But overall, I like being very hands-off about it.

I have never incubated before, so I feel like I have some stuff to learn by candling! I'm sure as I get more experienced, the novelty will wear off and I'll be able to hold off and just let them do their thing!