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

[CluckNDoodle]

I have to check my eggs in a few days I didn't see much when I candled them. I'm not sure if Squatch is mating all the ladies.

I'm hoping I'm wrong about their eggs.

Same with my Marans eggs...they didn't look promising the other day so I'm hoping if I candle again tonight or tomorrow that I'll see more fertilized eggs. It sure looked like I only had 2.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

I have a question, we want to participate in the Easter hatchalong, but will be gone for a long weekend. We thought about letting our daughter and grandson set the eggs and then us just bringing it back to our house Easter weekend because she will be out of town. The incubator would be turned off for about 20 minutes. What are your thoughts?

I've done it on hatch day. For my daughter's girl scout troop. They'd been following along with the hatch. Each week I'd bring a few eggs in an insulated lunch bag to candle with them. I set approximately 20 eggs at the same time of day as their meeting.

Because of the Girl Scout insurance policy it would have been a ton of paperwork, including background checking all drivers, to get them to my house. So I opted to drive the incubator to their meeting. Less than 10 minutes away. Plugged it in when we arrived. Chatted for a bit. Then they got to watch the hatch. This included a full zip and hatch! They thought it was amazing. Afterwards I drove it home to finish the hatch. It was a roaring success.

I don't remember the exact hatch rate but it was pretty good. These were eggs from my own flock of assorted breeds. Not sure I'd repeat this with valuable or shipped eggs. But absolutely would do it again hatching from my own flock.

 

[beth1004]

Hi! Yes, here is my Splash. We named her Luna yesterday. I prefer a bit darker splash markings, but I like her body type and personality a lot. View attachment 2046724

Thought I'd post a pic of my splash. This is from when she went broody last year. I'd love to find a rooster that I could breed with her. I bought a partridge but their coloring wouldn't be recognized as a true color.

 

[Mosey2003]

I have a question, we want to participate in the Easter hatchalong, but will be gone for a long weekend. We thought about letting our daughter and grandson set the eggs and then us just bringing it back to our house Easter weekend because she will be out of town. The incubator would be turned off for about 20 minutes. What are your thoughts?

That should work, but I recommend putting the eggs in cartons or such and wrapping them up in a blanket rather than leaving them in the incubator. Also, make sure you dump the water before you try to move it, lol. I have made a mess before.

 

[BluebirdHomestead]

Thought I'd post a pic of my splash. This is from when she went broody last year. I'd love to find a rooster that I could breed with her. I bought a partridge but their coloring wouldn't be recognized as a true color. View attachment 2046739

Oooh look at her! So beautiful. Yes, you should find her a boyfriend! I have a Blue Ameraucana boy and adore him.

 

[BluebirdHomestead]

View attachment 2046726 I love her!! She's beautiful!

Thank you! I’m totally smitten. Especially since she’s my first chicken laying me fertilized eggs!

 

[BluebirdHomestead]

I want her!

 

[beth1004]

I've done it on hatch day. For my daughter's girl scout troop. They'd been following along with the hatch. Each week I'd bring a few eggs in an insulated lunch bag to candle with them. I set approximately 20 eggs at the same time of day as their meeting.

Because of the Girl Scout insurance policy it would have been a ton of paperwork, including background checking all drivers, to get them to my house. So I opted to drive the incubator to their meeting. Less than 10 minutes away. Plugged it in when we arrived. Chatted for a bit. Then they got to watch the hatch. This included a full zip and hatch! They thought it was amazing. Afterwards I drove it home to finish the hatch. It was a roaring success.

I don't remember the exact hatch rate but it was pretty good. These were eggs from my own flock of assorted breeds. Not sure I'd repeat this with valuable or shipped eggs. But absolutely would do it again hatching from my own flock.

Thank you. I've only incubated and hatched one set of eggs so I don't have a lot of experience. The first experience was filled with lots of issues-- loosing temp and humidity when we were away, ever time I had to add water, I had to open the incubator (it's going back today to Amazon) 3 hatched out of 8(?). I think 3 weren't even fertile. The fact that anyone hatched at all makes me thrilled. If I do set any eggs, it will be from my Ameraucanas. It will be the first that we hatch since getting our new rooster and 2 hens. We already had 3 hens.

 

[beth1004]

That should work, but I recommend putting the eggs in cartons or such and wrapping them up in a blanket rather than leaving them in the incubator. Also, make sure you dump the water before you try to move it, lol. I have made a mess before.

Thank you. Good call about the egg carton.

 

[Jules929]

Here is an example regarding increasing humidity in my Hovabator 2370. I used warm tap water, a 10cc syringe, and a straw. I put 10cc water through the vent hole using the straw to make sure I didn't get any eggs wet. The humidity rose from 30% to 35% in five minutes. In the next 25 minutes it rose to 40%. It is at 41% after 40 minutes. I will check it and add another 5cc in a couple hours, after it stabilizes. The room is still at 40%.