Weight loss chart

[ellenaspen]

OK...I'm going to weigh the eggs and see if I get better results. My first hatch I got 58% hatch rate. Second a 43% hatch rate. This is my third hatch. Questions...do anyone have a good resource on how to do that chart. Also, I have a food scale that measures grams...is that good enough or do I need to order an egg scale?

TIA

 

[ellenaspen]

Bump

 

[dsqard]

Here is a link to a good way to figure out if you are on track. There is no set weight for each day since it all depends on how much the egg weighed at the start. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/poulsci/tech_manuals/cage_free/incubating_eggs.pdf I would suggest an egg scale but maybe someone who weighs their eggs will chime in to let you know if your scale is good enough. Hope this helps!

 

[pete55]

Hi

If it measures in grammes thats fine. I use one that is for measuring baking ingredients

Weigh your fresh laid egg in grammes and write that in pencil on the side of your egg. We incubate Dewlap Geese so I'll them as an example.

Laid Weight 150gms

Target weight loss of 15% = 22.5gms

Incubation Period to extenal pipping 28 days

Therefore 22.5 divided by 28 = 0.8gms daily weight loss.

We usually weigh weekly but often find weight loss is below target in the first week then starts to catch up.

So;
Week 1 - 5.6gms (Actual Weight 144.4)
Week 2 - 11.2gms (Actual Weight 138.8)
Week 3 - 16.8gms (Actual Weight 133.2)
Week 4 - 22.6gms (Actual Weight 127.6)

Hope that helps

Pete

 

[Old_Rooster]

Great reference from dsgard. I have not tried this. I have seen the result of too much weight (moisture) loss and too little. I live in NM, so it can be a battle. I may have to work on using the weight loss method.

 

[ellenaspen]

Thanks, Pete55 and dsqard...off I go...