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

[CluckNDoodle]

Everyone else looks good! Sitting at an average of 11% weight lost so far, not sure if that is too fast or slow? Would love some input there, my humidity dips a little low overnight in the jn12 incubator but I haven't been worrying about it...more afraid of high humidity!

For day 14 you should be ok, I haven't weighed mine, I usually stick to checking air cell because it's what I'm more familiar with but your goal weight loss is 11-13% by day 18 (according to what I've been reading so I can give a better example of air cell size by drawing on an actual egg).

My salmon faverolles seem to have developed wonky air cells - two of them are on the side of the eggs. Am I correct to think that I should position the egg for hatching so the air cell is facing slightly up?

When I candle before lockdown I usually mark the air cell and position the side of the air cell that's receding up. That's more commonly the side the pip on, but it doesn't cause issues with the hatch if they pip on the bottom unless you're experiencing problems with humidity.

I think I'm going to stop turning now to give the babies plenty of time to get into position (would love input here, too)

Studies show that there is no detrimental effect to the eggs when you stop turning after day 13 so you should be all set! Good luck!

 

[gmjarvi]

For day 14 you should be ok, I haven't weighed mine, I usually stick to checking air cell because it's what I'm more familiar with but your goal weight loss is 11-13% by day 18 (according to what I've been reading so I can give a better example of air cell size by drawing on an actual egg).

When I candle before lockdown I usually mark the air cell and position the side of the air cell that's receding up. That's more commonly the side the pip on, but it doesn't cause issues with the hatch if they pip on the bottom unless you're experiencing problems with humidity.

Studies show that there is no detrimental effect to the eggs when you stop turning after day 13 so you should be all set! Good luck!

Yeah, my goal with the weight has been to reach 13% weight loss by D18. I guess I'll keep doing what I'm doing and keep an eye on it. Maybe I'll weigh a couple on D16 and see if I need to keep the humidity a bit higher before lockdown.

Receding up, got it! It might be tricky with the ones that have the air cells on the sides, but they might not roll as much with the shelf liner in there.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I think my silkie is broody! She was kind of playing around with the idea last week, but she has been sitting on eggs in the same nest box all day. I'll know for sure if she's in there in the morning before I open the door. Last time she quit about 10 days in for some reason. We'll see what happens!

 

[BluebirdHomestead]

1) Last hatch, I had single egg that hatched a full two weeks behind everyone else. Unlike my staggered hatch this time (which is just new eggs), it was a surplus egg from the original shipment that just didn't go into the incubator until D14 when I was able to clear some space. It had a partner that didn't develop, so this little tiny baby was alone and I had no choice but to put her in the brooder with everyone else and hope for the best. We named her Little, and she was completely fine. Better than fine, actually. She could huddle under the other chicks for warmth, and learned to play tough. She has Marans in her, so now she's one of our biggest chickens, and the name is an ironic reminder of when she was a tiny floof ball next to what at the time appeared to be relatively large raptors stomping around.

2) Thank you for providing this anticipation-building time-burner (this video, and your hatching livestream).

Furthering that end, I found this video documenting a shell-less incubation, which is just like, the coolest thing ever:

I am also inspired by you to figure out how I can convert my toddler's retired babycam into a hatch livestream myself!

Wow that video is amazing.

 

[hysop]

How do you know when they’ve pipped internally? I always hear people talk about that. Is that the same as the first pip / hole on the egg or is this different?

 

[BluebirdHomestead]

How do you know when they’ve pipped internally? I always hear people talk about that. Is that the same as the first pip / hole on the egg or is this different?

It’s when they break through their membrane and into the air cell. You can tell because you can usually hear peeping! And if you candle you’ll see a triangular shadow in the air cell.

 

[hysop]

It’s when they break through their membrane and into the air cell. You can tell because you can usually hear peeping! And if you candle you’ll see a triangular shadow in the air cell.

Oh okay thanks. Right now I have chicks in my bathroom so I keep hearing chirps but it’s them They will be going to a larger brooder outside in the shop tomorrow. That way I know if I’m hearing the chicks or the egg .

So nervous!! I feel like a guy walking back and forth in the waiting room waiting to be told if the baby was born. Tomorrow is only Day 20. Day 21 is so close yet so far away. It does help that it’s been a busy week and days are flying by because of it.

 

[Lins_BE]

 

[AusHen]

I got my tracking number last night, 2:10pm today it finally updated to "We've got it". it should be express overnight so they better be here tomorrow!!
Checked on broody mum and egg is still intact. I won't bother her too much now until closer to hatch day

 

[Jules929]

I got my tracking number last night, 2:10pm today it finally updated to "We've got it". it should be express overnight so they better be here tomorrow!!
Checked on broody mum and egg is still intact. I won't bother her too much now until closer to hatch day

It drives me crazy when I get an email saying my package has shipped, when in reality, they have only received the shipping label info, especially when they don't actually receive the item for a day or two.

 

[AusHen]

My postal service here is pretty good most of the time. I usually get updates live or a little bit late. Before it was "pending" meaning they had the info but no item, now it's been scanned at his post office ready to be dispatched to mine. I turned on mobile notifications so I'm not always refreshing LOL