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

[gimmie birdies]

Pink carton has BA, partridge rock, BO,SS... green top carton Welsummer and cream legbar,...other green LO....purple is one AC/mix and olive F1 below is how they were packed.

So fun!

 

[BluebirdHomestead]

@FortCluck Do you candle them again at day 18 or just leave them after 14?

 

[FortCluck]

Oh, ok. I made need to go to the store and get some plastic canvas to make chick fences. Or, I have boxes, I could cut cardboard instead.

I was going to use cardboard but it gets soggy with humidity.

 

[Jules929]

Oh, ok. I made need to go to the store and get some plastic canvas to make chick fences. Or, I have boxes, I could cut cardboard instead.

No, I don't think I should use cardboard, it would block air flow and create hotter/colder areas,

 

[FortCluck]

@FortCluck Do you candle them again at day 18 or just leave them after 14?

I candle closer towards the hatch date. I don't have a set candle schedule I just do it whenever. I would do them at day 18 if that's what you usually do.

I like looking on day 21 for internal pips.

 

[julskinka]

There's nothing wrong with Farm Innovator. I have the 4250 and I have amazing hatch rates. I'd recommend to anyone.

I'm glad yours works for you. I borrowed one from someone once and it was full of hot and cold spots and had temp spikes (>102 degrees) a lot. Hopefully the one I was using was just particularly crummy, but it definitely scared me off of them personally.

 

[julskinka]

No, I don't think I should use cardboard, it would block air flow and create hotter/colder areas,

Definitely use the large-hole plastic cross-stitch canvas.

There's a good hack on here somewhere for one for the Incuview by @aart, but I bet you could modulate it for your incubator.

 

[Mosey2003]

I'm glad yours works for you. I borrowed one from someone once and it was full of hot and cold spots and had temp spikes (>102 degrees) a lot. Hopefully the one I was using was just particularly crummy, but it definitely scared me off of them personally.

It's a very common complaint, thus my not recommending. It does seem a fair few work well, but many just don't.

 

[julskinka]

Taking out my turner today. I take out the turner on day 14. Works like a charm

The end is nigh!!! (In a good way)

 

[julskinka]

Definitely use the large-hole plastic cross-stitch canvas.

There's a good hack on here somewhere for one for the Incuview by @aart, but I bet you could modulate it for your incubator.

Here it is:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/incuview-divider-pattern-and-other-hacks-by-aart.73966/
I started to make one myself, but ran out of time, and didn't end up actually needing it. I was hatching distinct enough looking breeds, and keeping a close enough eye that there weren't any mystery chicks. I may make it for this time around though because half the population of my incubator is two weeks behind the rest!