Utah!

[Cynthia12]

Ace, LOVE your chicks! They are so adorable! So neither of the OE hatched that I gave you?

Madchicken, I'll start saving FBCM eggs for you- my hens have been really laying well, so I'll have a bunch pretty quickly. I'll be in SLC on Satuday.

Silly, I'd bump the temp up so it's 100.5. Also, although I'm a fan of dry incubation, I do think 14% is too low- I'd try to get it up to about 35% or so.

Yesterday was crazy good day for eggs- I got FOURTEEN eggs. Of course, that's out of 23 hens, so not fabulous, but pretty darn awesome, if I do say so myself.

Agree with the humidity big time. Have found out that too low a humidity is also a cause for deformities. I used to think it was just the too high a temp, but the humidity should be kept in the mid 30's at least.

 

[sillycmoy]

Well I just went over and checked. I added a little water to each water tube. Its at 27% and at 100. I can't get it to stay a straight 100.2 to 100.5. Its right at 100. It did take it about 4 hours to get back from 99 to 100 from me just adding the water, and I did it super fast. But then again, I probably should have made sure my water wasn't cold. Won't make that mistake again.

I'm guess that it will dip down every time I had turn them too. So I guess I should get use to the dip in the temp when I open it up super fast. I was reading that I can put pennies in the water to help with the water temp to stay warmer, and also I can add glass jars with warm water, and they will keep it warm while candling or rotating the eggs. Has anyone tried this out. So do you guys think I'm safe to set the eggs or should I watch it again over night? I can add some more water or put a plug in to bring up the humidity. I have both plugs out as stated on the Little Giant Cheat Sheet?

Thanks for all the help everyone.

 

[Cynthia12]

Keep it around 100, right there should be fine. You probably don't have a calibrated thermometer, so, hitting it saying 100 should be about right. I just went in and touched my one lonely egg. It was hot! And my thermometer said 99. Not! I took out the thermometer and let it cool down. Kicks it back into reading closer again. I changed my little eggy into another bator now that it's done with this last hatch. I like this newer one for incubating. Just need to watch my temps now for a while.

 

[sillycmoy]

I have a digital one and the one that it came with. I'm almost feeling like putting in the one from the fish tank, since my heater is always dead on, I really don't need it in there, so there is 3 in there. But do you feel its okay? I'm worried it might spike everyday around mid day when it warms up in the loft. It was 75 up there today when it spiked, but I did a minor turn and it came back down and has held at about 100 since then. Even though I put in the water, cold like an idiot, it went down to 99.3 but now is back up to dead 100. But I guess I look at it as its okay because even mom needs to get up and eat and go to the bathroom right.

I'm so scared I'm going to kill these chicks. I should have just for my piece of mind ordered like a $200 auto incubator.

 

[Cynthia12]

I really don't think a 200 dollar incubator is any better, honest. You are doing fine if you have it at 100..if it goes down to 99 at night, no problem. Relax, enjoy..just watch the temp, bet you shouldn't have to adjust again now that it's stayed that temp for a while. Should be fine.

 

[sillycmoy]

What do you think I need the humidity at before I set them. I did add water to it, but I can add more water, and do you think I need to add something to help hold heat while I turn.

Sorry for the million questions.

 

[Cynthia12]

Don't add any more water if it's in the 30's. And keep the temp set where it's at now. It will lower, maybe even lower than 99 at first..don't worry! It will go back up to where you have it now. May even take a half to full day. That's ok. Don't touch the knob if it's at 100 now. Perfect.

 

[Cynthia12]

Hey Brad, ever been interested in the Rhodebars? I just hatched two. Pretty sure I got two girls, even though one is lighter. I've read some great things about them, and it would be nice to have a bit of a different red going on out in the yard.

 

[RedIII]

Ace, cute babies!

Karen, I think you will get some hatching action with Madchicken's eggs, but if by some chance they all kick the bucket, let me know. I've got three roosters here that service the girls, and I can probably get you a few replacements. Now if my booger of a SBEL would stop trying to sit..........

Well, I did not have a very good last couple of days. My fiancee's ex wife was harassing both of us over text message, so I went to the police station to file a report and fill out a statement. I think I may end up getting a protective order against her. This woman just WILL NOT get lost!

And the cops out in Tooele wouldn't do anything about her breaking her restraining order against the fiancee, so he's quite stressed. Makes me glad I live in West Valley.

 

[the-bird-man]

Hey Brad, ever been interested in the Rhodebars?  I just hatched two.  Pretty sure I got two girls, even though one is lighter.  I've read some great things about them, and it would be nice to have a bit of a different red going on out in the yard. 

i have not but they are intriguing. you will have to let me know how you like them with their qualities i think they could become as popular if not more popular as the sex links one day