When can I do it again

[ScottyGill]

Just like childbirth I've already forgotten the pain and am thinking when can I do it again. I have learnt so much from my first hatch. There's so much I wouldn't do and would do and the learning curve was huge. So I've worked out they will only need brooder plate for 4 weeks. Can anyone foresee massive problems if I introduce new chicks 4-5 weeks after the first ones, ok I'll do my math better, but whenever I can use the brooder plate again. I certainly need more chickens. Our garden is huge and we have either 1 boy and 2 girls or 2 boys and 1 girl from this hatch. Am I mad??? The other option is I can buy day olds only 39 miles away. The hatching was a rollercoaster of emotion but the end result is amazing!

 

[Perris]

I would advise patience; you've still the juvenile phase, gender ID, and then all the excitement of the first eggs to experience with your current brood. And if you can hold on till next year, your flock will consist of mixed age members rather than just contemporaries, which is better for steady egg production going forward. You might even have a broody, which is a whole new experience, promising more chicks and an overload of cuteness

 

[Erba]

I would go for it, I have a similar situation here. Worst scenario I can see is that the older chicks will have the commando in the brooder. As long as there is enough feed and space for all, I think you should at least try. The more the merrier! And you'll have eggs sooner, which is my goal. My one girl is a real slacker, and sometimes lays willie nilly around the garden. It's Easter egg hunting all year round with her.

 

[ScottyGill]

I would go for it, I have a similar situation here. Worst scenario I can see is that the older chicks will have the commando in the brooder. As long as there is enough feed and space for all, I think you should at least try. The more the merrier! And you'll have eggs sooner, which is my goal. My one girl is a real slacker, and sometimes lays willie nilly around the garden. It's Easter egg hunting all year round with her.

I did go for it. I did tons of research. I did not hope for just 3 chicks when I set 12 eggs but now understand the difficulties of shipped eggs. I’ve timed it so the current ones won’t need their brooder heater and will be getting conditioned to outside. I’ve read a lot about integrating chicks 4 weeks apart so I reckon my situation is pretty common. I’m excited. Candled last night and 4 are duds. One has a saddle air cell a couple I wasn’t sure about and 5 look as they should so I’m kind of expecting maybe 3 or 4 this time and have no high hopes. But I do feel more relaxed this time.

 

[Erba]

Great! My new brooder now take 12 big eggs, with plenty of room between, so I would have done 12 as well if I had enough fresh ones. I've got 11 on the go. I've got a weather station hooked up to the incubator, now my thermometer doesn't fit with all the eggs.
I'm wishing us both a more successful hatch, the 2nd time around!

 

[ScottyGill]

Great! My new brooder now take 12 big eggs, with plenty of room between, so I would have done 12 as well if I had enough fresh ones. I've got 11 on the go. I've got a weather station hooked up to the incubator, now my thermometer doesn't fit with all the eggs.
I'm wishing us both a more successful hatch, the 2nd time around!

It’s so wet here right now I’m struggling to keep humidity between 40-50% just noticed it’s at 57% my box doesn’t have vents to open or close so I’ve opened it up a bit. Fortunately that’s only been today but we have a warm wet week ahead so I’ll be keeping my eye on that. Honestly thought deciding to go with no water added would be easy. Hah!

 

[Erba]

I’m struggling to keep humidity between 40-50%

And this time I am struggling with the temperature
Too high or too low, but I am determined to find the right setting,
if it is even possible on this incubator.