Too Early for Feb Hatch-A-Long Thread??

[CluckNDoodle]

Bit of a scare this morning. For the second morning in a row both thermometers have been reading high, 103.5 This is a still air incubator so not as serious as a forced air but never a good thing. The incubator has actually been pretty darn stable temp wise. I've been keeping it around 101-102° measured at the top of the egg. So I believe the extra degree is caused by the heat now being generated by the eggs (day 15&17) combined with the incubator not being opened overnight. During the day I turn them by hand so the temp never has a chance to build up like that. I've adjusted it down now that I know it's likely a recurring issue. Yesterday I thought it was a fluke. I candled today to check on them. Good veining and movement in all eggs! What a relief that was. What do you think? About the temp fluctuation.

I think I've decided to stop turning all eggs on Monday (day 17/19). But not bump the humidity until I hear peeping or see a pip. I think this will be the best outcome for all eggs. What I'm not sure about is if I want to deal with trying to track chicks as they hatch. I know some of you rig up little baskets and such. I just have so many breeds and mixes. Or maybe I just choose eggs that will hatch chicks of different colors. Put those together. I do have a second incubator I can use if needed. But for experimental purposes I'd like to see things through with the still air incubator. From start to finish. That limits me on room. For those who separate eggs how successful is it really?

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That would have freaked me out too!
I've never done the basket thing but I did slowly start adding to my incubator collection more and more as I continued to hatch, lol. I like the flexibility it offers me to have multiple smaller incubators. I know that doesn't help you at all though. The only other thing I have done personally is photograph the chicks as they were hatching and I was able to go back and see which chick came out of which egg. I will be doing that again this time because the breeder requested to know which hen is throwing off what colors and she marked the eggs. It's really time consuming to sit there for hours photographing though. Are you thinking that most of your breeds are going to look similar at hatch?

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

That would have freaked me out too!
I've never done the basket thing but I did slowly start adding to my incubator collection more and more as I continued to hatch, lol. I like the flexibility it offers me to have multiple smaller incubators. I know that doesn't help you at all though. The only other thing I have done personally is photograph the chicks as they were hatching and I was able to go back and see which chick came out of which egg. I will be doing that again this time because the breeder requested to know which hen is throwing off what colors and she marked the eggs. It's really time consuming to sit there for hours photographing though. Are you thinking that most of your breeds are going to look similar at hatch?

I think the trickiest ones to tell apart will be the Isbar, 55 Flowers, Swedish Flower, and cream Legbar. Because of the variability of colors that can hatch and possible presence of crests.

The mixed breed chicks will have either a Ayam Cemani or Barnvelder rooster over a variety of hens. The AC crosses I imagine will have dark skin and be easily spotted. But the Barnvelders could look like anything and blend into chicks from the purebred Barnvelder or Orpington eggs.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

Also should add if it's a really good hatch I'll need to start selling chicks eventually. I'd like to keep track of the more valuable chicks when choosing for our future flock. Ideally I'd like to end up with 10-12 hens and 2 roosters. That's about the right sized flock for our family.

 

[aliciaplus3]

Also should add if it's a really good hatch I'll need to start selling chicks eventually. I'd like to keep track of the more valuable chicks when choosing for our future fkockt. Ideally I'd like to end up with 10-12 hens and 2 roosters. That's about the right sized flock for our family.

I started out to have a dozen just for eggs for my family. that was ummmmm..... 11 years? ago. and now we have less than 300. I think??

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Also should add if it's a really good hatch I'll need to start selling chicks eventually. I'd like to keep track of the more valuable chicks when choosing for our future flock. Ideally I'd like to end up with 10-12 hens and 2 roosters. That's about the right sized flock for our family.

If you're unable to separate during hatch and band them before putting them in the brooder then you could always sell some of the chicks this time as a "Mystery mix" and explain which breeds they have a chance of receiving, lol. Another option would be growing them out until you're able to more easily identify the different breeds.

I was surprised when I hatched Speckled Sussex, Cream Legbars, and Whiting True Blues side by side how easy it was to tell them apart. It's tiny differences that you wouldn't notice unless you're watching them hatch but sure enough I didn't even need to band them. I hope it's a pleasant surprise for you like that maybe but the breeds you mentioned and especially the mixes, do sound like you're going to have quite the assortment!

I had 20 hens and I re-homed some so I'm down to only 12 right now so I can allow my broody hens to raise chicks and keep some in the flock. I'm not the overachiever like @aliciaplus3, lol, but I do find every time I try to tell myself I only need 10 hens it looks like so few when that's all I have.

 

[Merrymouse]

I think my silkie hatchling may be splay legged.. any advise? Im going to go google to figure out how to help it out.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I think my silkie hatchling may be splay legged.. any advise? Im going to go google to figure out how to help it out.

Med wrap or vet wrap, the stretchy tape that sticks to itself without adhesive is the best stuff I have used for splay leg. It doesn't hurt the chick, doesn't slip around like the rubberband and straw trick, works like a charm.

 

[Merrymouse]

Well, I show dogs so I have vet wrap on hand. So I just cut a little strip and wrap around each leg to hold them closer together correct? Should I do above the knee joint or lower like above the foot. There is conflicting advice on youtube.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Well, I show dogs so I have vet wrap on hand. So I just cut a little strip and wrap around each leg to hold them closer together correct? Should I do above the knee joint or lower like above the foot. There is conflicting advice on youtube.

I did it lower, just above the feet and with enough distance that the chick was still able to waddle around but it's legs weren't shooting out from under it. It does take a moment for them to get used to walking with it but it's working those muscles that fixes the splay leg.
EDIT: And yes, just a thin strip, sorry forgot to answer that part.

 

[Floydie]

Have at least 1 more pip now.