The Poultry Keeper

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3469 Location: Monmouthshire

Do others candle when transferring eggs from incubator to hatcher? If so, do you candle big end, little end, or both?

Welsh Duck · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:52 pm Post subject:

If you candle the big end, you should see the beaks pipping through the air sac, (depending on what stage you transfer them over).

I transfer the pipped eggs over to the hatcher as and when they pip, bit silly really as they lose the humidity as I open the bator. Embarassed

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3469 Location: Monmouthshire

I candle the big end too, but something about one egg made me look at the other end as well. Air gap there too, so marked as iffy. All the rest I did both ends; one or two with double air gaps, but the most disconcerting was the one with very definite movement in the small end - marked as ? hatch narrow end. I shall see what happens - due to hatch on Wednesday.

Welsh Duck · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 6:17 pm Post subject:

I hate it when they try to hatch at the pointed end, they usually need assistance. They usually try to hatch before the others and rarely survive Evil or Very Mad

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3469 Location: Monmouthshire

I am hoping that if I know this might happen, I make sure I check for it. I'd just never thought to candle both ends before.

Welsh Duck · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:35 pm Post subject:

I keep threatening to turn the incubators off for the year, but temptation always gives way. Rolling Eyes

I have 12 marans eggs in the incubator which I bought at Ross. I am trying to get back into Marans as it was a mistake going out of them. I also have two wyandotte hens hatching chicks as we speak. I have left them totally to it and not interfered at all apart from seperating them when they went broody. The plan is to kill the cockerals and have point of lays ready in the spring,.... well thats the plan Rolling Eyes

I have also found out that two of my incubators have broken turners, but I suppose at 22 years old I cant grumble at repair costs.

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1191 Location: Cornwall

lol I swore I'd stop incubating end of July, but got a hatch due this w/end, next w/end and then in 3 weeks time. But that will definately be the last til next spring.

I think.

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3469 Location: Monmouthshire

I assume, Welsh Duck, that the incubators in question are Brinseas.

Welsh Duck · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:23 pm Post subject:

You are right henwife. They have been great, and after 22 years of hatching I can live with the fact they need a bit of tlc at the moment. All will be well for the spring Very Happy

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1191 Location: Cornwall

Brinsea's are brilliant incubators, they're as touch as old boots.