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Produce => Kept Animals => Topic started by: OliveOil on June 01, 2006, 11:55:16

Title: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 01, 2006, 11:55:16: I bought an incubator off ebay, tested it and it seemed to work, ordered eggs, bought eggs off maket and all sorts.

The end result is 70 banty eggs sat in my living room urgently needing to go in the incubator.

Incubator won't work, first the element went, then the thermostat went, then i got a thermostat kit, that wont work.

I've run out of money as i spent it all on this stupid incubator taht wornt work and on eggs... a new thermostat and element from manufacturer is going to cost £50 which i cant afford.

I jsut feel like crying!
Title: Re: I just want to cry!
Post by: supersprout on June 01, 2006, 12:08:04: So sorry to hear of grief olive oil :'(
Just a thought - is there a local poultry breeders group that might be able to loan you incubator space? Is there anything that could be rigged up at home with old fridge grilles, light bulbs, in the oven and so on? ???

Sorry I can't be of more help olive, hope someone else here can do better, and hope your banties pull through.

Can you still get the money back >:( from the ebay seller?
Title: Re: I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 01, 2006, 12:23:35: paid cash on collection unfortunately! I have been in touch with her and she said 'i never got it working' - shame she didnt say that in the description.

I could prob wire a bulb up but then there is still the problem of a thermostat to control the temperature.

I feel so deflated as i've been looking forward to this for so long. I'll keep on turning the ggs for a couple of more days!
Title: Re: I just want to cry!
Post by: MonsterMum on June 01, 2006, 12:33:49: You should be able to report her to ebay as the goods are not as described. If she knew that the incubator didn't work I think she has a legal obligation to inform any potential buyers, same as when you buy a car, if the owner knows it has a fault they have to tell you.

Might be worth getting some advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau

Sorry I can't help with the eggs but DON'T GIVE UP
Title: Re: I just want to cry!
Post by: littlegem on June 01, 2006, 12:34:22: I'd report her to ebay and see what happens
Title: Re: I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 02, 2006, 17:32:04: Yes I will be reporting her to ebay... but in the meantime i have rigged something rather crude up - so fingers crossed... wish me luck.
Title: Re: I just want to cry!
Post by: Hyacinth on June 02, 2006, 17:49:29: Dreadful news, and I really feel for you :(

Exploring all options - try your local freecycle group too....might be in luck & worth a try?

Sprotties suggestion of contacting a local breeders' group's really sound, too.

Good luck!
Title: Re: I just want to cry!
Post by: Yellow Petals on June 02, 2006, 21:59:59: Quote from: OliveOil on June 02, 2006, 17:32:04
Yes I will be reporting her to ebay... but in the meantime i have rigged something rather crude up - so fingers crossed... wish me luck.

Tell her first. The threat of being reported and having an action taken out against you usually does the trick with fraudulent eBay members. I've dealt with my fair share over the past three years <sigh>

Well done on rigging up something in the meantime.
Title: Re: I just want to cry!
Post by: weedbusta on June 02, 2006, 23:30:44: [quote - so fingers crossed... wish me luck.
[/quote]

fingers toes and everything else crossed for you, good luck.
Title: Re: I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 03, 2006, 00:11:59: Well so far so good - maintainned correct temperature all night! Just turned the eggs by hand - all 70 of them ... imust be mad!

OH doesnt know about my little set up yet... i think when he comes to bed he is going to be non too pleased!!! Just hope i dont set fire to the house LOL. Just dont ask!!! :P
Title: Re: I just want to cry!
Post by: MrsKP on June 03, 2006, 07:03:45: oh go on tell us. we'll not report you to health and safety, we promise.

;D
Title: Re: I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 03, 2006, 08:25:21: heheh... well! Earlier in the week i put the thermometer in the airing cupoard - it reached perfect temperature! So i put the incubator in there on the top shelf, put water in the tray and eggs in - left the lid off for an hour. I put the hot water on and put a lamp under the incubator on the shelf below. By yesterday afternoon it had reached 39 degrees, then before bed i turned the hot water off. Got up this morning and its 38.5degrees so i've put the hot water back on for an hour.

So the plan is - everytime i turn the eggs, i put the hotwater on for an hour - that should keep the temperature stable.

So far, so good - i figured i had nothing to lose!
Title: Re: I just want to cry!
Post by: MrsKP on June 03, 2006, 08:29:37: Hope they're not hard boiled by the end of it . :o

i'd award you 10/10 for ingenuity, but then i know nothing about incubating chicks. ;D

good luck and keep us up to date won't you ?
Title: Re: I just want to cry!
Post by: Hyacinth on June 03, 2006, 11:42:49: Quote from: MrsKP on June 03, 2006, 08:29:37
Hope they're not hard boiled by the end of it . :o

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Ingenuity of wimmen, eh?

Keep the progress reports commin :D
Title: Re: I just want to cry!
Post by: supersprout on June 03, 2006, 15:30:17: clever olive, good luck, keeping everything crossed for you and your banties. How long to wait til they hatch?
Title: Re: I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 03, 2006, 16:56:16: still on target temperature

18 days to go ish lol hehehe

Oh - OH said it was a fire hazard - like im listening! I dont think it is- hes just more bothered about the electric and gas bills... maybe he should have bought me an incubator instead ;)
Title: Re: I just want to cry!
Post by: rosebud on June 03, 2006, 19:42:27: Good luck with your eggs Olive. Dont laugh at this many years ago my mother put a light bulb in a glass cuboard and when it was warm she put some eggs in and yes they did hatch, she was a bit of a try anything once oddbod, i was very young and just thought thats clever!!!!!!. ::)
Title: Re: I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 03, 2006, 22:19:48: OMG =- I'm not laughing - you have given me hope... much needed hope amongst all this madness! OH thinks i've gone completely potty and is worried about my mental health hehehe :P ;D
Title: Re: I just want to cry!
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on June 03, 2006, 22:40:40: A well-known (among beekeepers) way of liquifying set honey is to rig up a lightbulb in an old fridge, with either a thermostat or a variable resistor to control the temperature. All sorts of thing can work well.
Title: Re: I just want to cry!
Post by: Heldi on June 07, 2006, 09:39:42: How's it going Oliveoil? Still turning those eggs?! Got my fingers and toes crossed for you :D
Title: Re: I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 07, 2006, 12:41:30: Hi there

I made a candler today and just tested 6 eggs - its only day 6 but 4 of them were def alive and moving and i oculd see the veins... the other 2 i wasnt sure so i will candle all of them on sunday!

I found my eyes went funny after a while so i couldnt see properly LOL.

I'm still turning them by hand... what a job that is!
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: MonsterMum on June 07, 2006, 13:02:36: That's great news Olive

Have you done anything more about the bad ebayer you bought the incubator from?
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: Heldi on June 07, 2006, 14:29:16: Woo hoo I'm excited for you!

Yes what have you done about that ebay woman?

My OH paid for special delivery for those buff orpington eggs off ebay. They came first class...when you think about it, if the egg seller sold fifty lots of eggs a week and everyone paid for special delivery and she only uses first class...that's about fifty quid a week she is making just from people paying for postage of a higher value than she is using. So he asked her to explain herself before he gave her his review thingy on ebay...he got his postage money refunded.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 07, 2006, 14:41:40: I hate rip offs... if you want any more orp eggs let me know, I am testing fertility on my 2 show bantams - black so you could have 6 for £6 incl SD postage and polybox... and i know another woman who sells orp eggs for £1 each plus delivery but you dont pay until you candle them at 10 days and only pay for fertiles!

Not dealt with other woman yet as my mum used her ebay ID as i was out for bidding... so i will chase her up about it.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: Heldi on June 07, 2006, 21:16:22: Oooh thanks Oliveoil! Will bear that in mind.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 07, 2006, 22:44:51: i've just candled all my eggs - all 80 of them (i thought there was 70 lol)... anyway 20 definites, chucked 6 out and the rest are maybes - not sure yet, think i need a stronger bulb... so its pretty good.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: supersprout on June 08, 2006, 07:15:00: good news oo! :D
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 12, 2006, 11:46:53: 45 eggs left in the incubator now... would have been 47 BUT the dog barked made me jump out of my skin, little tiny d'anver egg went flying and cracked it!

Then one of minnies eggs that i thoguht was infertile - actually turned out to be just fine! Grrrrrr

Other than that, all is good!

Hatching a week on wednesday - am sooooooo excited!
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 12, 2006, 12:34:03: You have done well with all the problems looks like you will have a good hatch for all your troubles.
Keep turning ha ha.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 12, 2006, 15:24:37: OMG teresa! I just realised who you are!!!! LOL... as we are to hide our identity's... think 'green wing'...
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 12, 2006, 15:48:05: OMG I have just been rolling round the floor laughing.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 15, 2006, 13:43:49: 39 still in the incubator with only what i believe to be handful of suspects. Other than killing those poor two little mites - everything else i have cracked have been clears - some eggs i had posted had their air sacs busted courtesy of RM Special Delivery! just 2 of those out of 9 left in there.

God i just wish wednesday would bloody hurry up! How on earth am i supposed to wait until then?>????????????????

Hows everyone elses little babies coming along? Anyone else got any eggs set at the moment?
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: MrsKP on June 15, 2006, 18:33:27: what are you going to do with them all when they hatch ????

??? :o
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 15, 2006, 18:49:24: Oh it will be loads of babies, what are the breeds?
That is bad for special delivery you pay a lot extra for that service,
My babies are due on the 25th under first time broody shes a silki X and doing well with the heat.
9 eggs under her so will candle on Sunday and throw away duds ( clear) so we will see.
Going away first week in July so incubator will have to wait its killing me.
Some of my last hatch hatched two days early with this heat so watch out ha ha could be earlier than you think ha ha.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 15, 2006, 19:07:16: Mrs KP - No idea... so far the plan is a cardboard box in the cellar with a heat lamp (which i still havent bought yet!)... then hoping i can rig something up at the lotty when they are feathered and off heat. There are many other chickens, cockerals, geese down our lottys so it shouldnt be a problem.

Teresa - Breeds are Black Bearded silkies, white silkies, Bantam Barred Plymouth Rocks, Red Pekins, Black Pekins, White Crested Black Polands and Show Quality Bantam Black Orpingtons. The woman has kindly not charged me for the eggs i bought off her as the air sacs were all blown, which was really nice of her but i will definitely buy some more off her as she is reputable and i want a new Orpington line to add to my Show Orps.

Gosh i hope they do hatch early! I've had real probs today keeping the temp right. Its gone off the gauge twice (only goes up to 40) and i've candled them and they are still alive phew! And also gone down to 35 twice... it was easier keeping the temp with the erally hot days than the cooler days, though i think now the incubator is looking rather empty its harder to stabilise it.

Oh well so far so good,

What are you hatching T?
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: MrsKP on June 15, 2006, 20:19:19: oh goodie. glad we've got a plan. ;D
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 15, 2006, 20:50:30: Hatching home made eggs ha ha, heinze 57's.
Last summer a broody hatched silki X's for me, one of the pullets is the broody sitting now on her brother X my old white hen who lays every day and through winter layed every other day fantastic she is lays a creamy coloured egg. He is full feathered lovely strong thingy looks like he took after his father ( mother was a white silki) so broody is haveing a go.
I have two one month olds that I put in incubator with some bought black bearded silkies. Just hope they are females needle says so wait and see.
They have turned out with partridge type feathers smooth quite beautiful.
See what they lay like ha ha.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 15, 2006, 22:10:26: Oh about this needle thingy!!! WHich way is again??? I had some go round and some straight across, also some didnt move - though these werent necessarily dead and are still moving.

Was going to do the needle test again and compare my records - yes i have a spreadsheet - all eggs are numbered with breed, weight and needle movement details - sad i know... also sounds like im ulta organised which i am SERIOUSLY NOT! Anyway need to weigh the eggs on sunday and do the needle test before i throw out the last ones before its hatching time! woohoo!

Oh gawd, have a job interview tomorrow - best get off here and do some research!
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 15, 2006, 22:24:01: Ok circle for a girl and straight for a boy. if it stands still either not fertile or dead. so they say.
Tried the needle on my daughter in law bless her it went round in a circle but think I may knit in white or lemon ah ha.
Good luck with job interview fingers crossed for you .
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 16, 2006, 14:00:49: OMG Teresa I got the job!!!!!!!!!!!!! Learning Resources Manager - i am soooo thrilled and surprised as the other candidates were much older than me and had loads of school/library experience!
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on June 16, 2006, 18:26:56: Nice one. Let's hope it's an omen; I've got an interview myself on Tuesday.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: MrsKP on June 16, 2006, 20:47:38: congratulations, well done, and all the best.

fantastic news.

;D
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 17, 2006, 08:04:52: I'm still shellshocked! :o :o RObert - good luck for Tuesday!!! ;D
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on June 17, 2006, 08:51:30: Thanks, I need it.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: Heldi on June 17, 2006, 20:47:17: Congrats Oliveoil! :)

Dying for Wednesday and your hatchings!

Good luck Robert :)
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 18, 2006, 15:56:41: Oh great OO thats a good start good luck with hatchings,
Robert good luck to you as well fingers crossed
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 18, 2006, 22:50:02: Heidi - I'm dying to get the hatchings!!!! I cracked 3 open today, 1 stopped developing day 8 ish and the other 2 i reckon day 14 ish. So now im paranoid that the whole lot are dead in shell! I've increased ventilation, its really humid here and dont want to put any water in the bator til i see them pip!

I cant hear anything from them yet, the eggs arent rolling around and its very frustrating. Stopped turning today. Gave everything a quick candle - saw 2 move bu t the rest are still - hence my worry! I just hope i havent come this far to have them all DIShell.

I was hoping we would have some on wednesday - but other have said its not unusual to have banty's hatch on day 21 or later... so could be friday or weekend! Gosh i hope not.

I'll keep you posted!
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: stuffed on June 19, 2006, 13:53:28: It would be a real shame if they didn't hatch but at least two of them are okay so far, just think if you had given up when the incubator did you wouldn't even have them. Not much comfort while you're waiting I know but it's important to think positive.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 19, 2006, 16:13:31: cracked another few eggs today - most were small with a bigger one dead in shell... but this one had feathers developing! So all is not lost.. as they rest are looking pretty ok... only saw 2 move again... the suspense is killing me!
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: stuffed on June 20, 2006, 11:02:28: Quote from: OliveOil on June 19, 2006, 16:13:31
the suspense is killing me!

And us..
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 20, 2006, 11:31:29: Still nothing! I've been advised to shut the door and never look again until day 21! I thought day 19 as they are bantams but as they most of them are 'large' bantams then they will prob hatch with the LF i have in there so i'm afraid a few more days yet! And yes i want to die.

completely ignoring the advice given i took a sneaky peak at the eggs and noticed that the air sacks seem to have 'suddenly' got bigger (was getting a bit worried yesterday)... might put a bit of water in there now but its good news i think... still didnt see movement so its all touch and go! heheeh
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: MrsKP on June 20, 2006, 17:47:33: keeping everything cross OO!

:-X
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 20, 2006, 18:34:46: Hi OO, found this ?

Hi I am nbstuart and have been buying and selling eggs for hatching for some years now .Here are a few things to consider and a few tips to help you get the best results from your purchase.
When buying eggs it always pays to try and go for the ones advertising "special delivery next day " service,it costs more but the eggs are kept seperate from the normal mail. Another advantage is that they are not put through the machinery and are generally sorted by hand.
Look for sellers who pack in polystyrene boxes specially made for sending eggs through the post,you will have less broken ones.
. Eggs are remarkable in that they will keep for 10/15 days if kept cool. [10/12 degrees c]
When they arrive open them and check to see they are all ok, take off the foam wrap, then leaving the top of the box off if you are not going to hatch them immediately,put them with the eggs pointy end down in the box and tilt the box to about 45 degrees. Then twice daily move the box to 45 degrees the other way from \ to / then when you're ready put them in your incubator,or under your broody.
When you get them {and i don't want to teach granny to suck eggs just want to be helpful } please rest them for 24hrs before putting them in the incubator or under a broody,if you are going to incubate them strait away this should be at room temperature.If not 10 degrees c
I set my incubator [forced air auto turn] at 37.8 c and humidity around 45/55% and now I always put the eggs pointy end down not on their side and turn them through 42 degrees either side .
Leave them for 17 days for bantams 19 days for large fowl and then lay them on their side, but don't turn them at all for the last 2 days. If you can increase the humidity to around 65/70% for this period that would be better . I have had better results since I started doing them this way.
Anyway best of luck with the hatching .

I did find my black silkies eggs bought at MM market hatched 2 days after day 21 good luck with yours mine should be Sunday 25th under broody I am getting nervous now must candle before too late that should be fun.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 20, 2006, 21:07:22: Ooo where was that from PP????

I have candled again - i know i shouldnt have but im gla di did coz i saw 19 MOVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! def alive and kicking - could see some legs and feet... tres cool! have put the suspect ones in teh middle but at least i know they are alive now!

Will keep you posted - so far nothing is hatching! tres disappointment.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 20, 2006, 22:11:39: Hi OO,
Not PP but Ebay,
I was surprised found it when I was checking out hatching eggs it was under reveiws people write articules.
Never seen it before most interesting thought I would share it.
First hatch with using a candler two chicks hatched and waiting for the other two I candled and the one I saw the head move oh the feeling of awe I felt so excited nearly dropped the darn egg.
The 4 hatched but one was sprayed legs did not make it but 3 ended up pullets the one I saw the head of is a beautiful white and brown tipped feathered hen she is special to me.
Keep us posted on your hatch
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: stuffed on June 21, 2006, 09:20:44: Quote from: OliveOil on June 20, 2006, 21:07:22
def alive and kicking

Fantastic ;D ;D
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 21, 2006, 10:37:55: Oooo i wonder how Roberts Interview went!!! Kieeping everything crossed for him still!
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on June 21, 2006, 20:02:13: Sorry. I didn't get it, but I have some inside info on another school which is advertising, so continue to keep those fingers crossed!
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: supersprout on June 21, 2006, 20:05:20: Fingers, toes and everything else for the next one robert :-*
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 21, 2006, 21:03:41: I am with supersprout keep going Robert something will come along.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: Heldi on June 21, 2006, 21:06:49: Yes fingers crossed Robert.

Oliiiiive! Owt happening yet?
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 22, 2006, 07:16:15: Nowt happening Heidi - You wouldnt believe what happened yesterday GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Plumber came round - been waiting 3 months! Of course the incubator is in the airing cupboard... so i begrudgingly let him in and he was poking about at the emmersion tank and then SHOVED my incubator out the way... after i had said - becareful, theres eggs hatching in there! So i just cringed... and quickly got him out the house agreeing with whatever he was muttering on about. I didnt want to kick up too much of a fuss as we are renting and the landlord said 3 chickens - not hatching 30 of the darn things!!!

Of course during this time with the doors open, the temperature dropped! So got it up again, and then about 11pm last night the temp shot up to 40 - eekkkkk. Did a quick candle this morning on 2 that i know are alive and they moved so phew!!!!

No egg rolling though, no peeping, no pipped eggs YET... but today is only day 20 and i've been told day 21 as i have 'large' banty eggs LOL. I hate this waiting game!

Robert - what sort of job in school are you applying for??? I've never worked in a school and suddenly I'm getting worried hehe.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 22, 2006, 15:10:48: Oh OO what a thing with that plumber you must have been shaking in your boots with anger.
One day untill day 21 it is nerve wrecking, dont forget they can go over a few days as well. Dont want to put a damper on you but my black silkies did day 23-24 later one was pulled out of shell had a funny foot and a bump on his bum ( yoke sac not all asorbed ) but is my baby now 4 weeks and a beaut.
Cannot wait till tomorrows esipode, what are you using as a brooder?
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 22, 2006, 15:16:50: Theresa - Yes i'm quite well prepared that tomorrow is prob going to be the very earliest for chicks and most probably the weekend really!

Brooder??? HA funny you should ask... I did plan on putting them in the cellar with heat lamp in a large cardboard box... however, its cold and damp and dark down their - perfect place for coccid... so they cant go tehre.

So that leaves the kitchen in a box or dining room in a box, or spare room - ype you guessed it - in a box!

I'll be improvising thats for sure! Hopefully i will have some sort of housing sorted out to put them in down the lotty when they have feathered up.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 22, 2006, 17:26:14: Nothing wrong with a box, the shops are only too glad for you to take them away. If you tell them you want it for chicks they give you a funny look ha ha.
I have had some hatches where the chicks loved to peck holes in the box great game for them.
You have the heat sorted so just the saucers for the water and food and your away. I had mine in the spare bedroom thinking quiet for them and everyone who came wanted to see the chicks before us.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: Heldi on June 22, 2006, 17:31:42: Oooh exciting isn't it!

Keep your eyes peeled Olive...I had one banty start to peck out on the 20th night and the other two came out day and night 21. You don't want to miss a thing!!
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: Hyacinth on June 22, 2006, 17:41:42: Quote from: Heldi on June 22, 2006, 17:31:42
Oooh exciting isn't it!

You don't want to miss a thing!!

AND NEITHER DO WE! (OK OK, I'll stop shouting now, but I'm so excited..Lordy knows how you-all are surviving ::) :D
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 22, 2006, 17:54:07: Someone on another site said their eggs are rocking - day 19... I'm day 20 why arent they rocking?????????????/
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 22, 2006, 19:37:42: OO your not playing the right music,
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 22, 2006, 22:03:50: Pah - your not funny! :P

Change your weblink ;D ;D
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 22, 2006, 23:25:48: Done it hee hee,
Hope you had a good nights sleep? or are you sleeping in the airing cuboard?
Fingers crossed for a good hatch tomorrow without problems you have deserved it with all the problems.
Alishka it is nerve wrecking I have been tempted to have a brandy before now to calm my nerves ha ha.
But all worth while when they hatch and fluff up and seeing them run around.
night night all
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 23, 2006, 08:11:02: OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG :o :o

SORRY BUT I WAS GOING TO SAY SOMETHING ELSE BEGINNING WITH F AND ENDING IN L....
:o
Ok got up - temp dropped to 33 aargghhh. Then just checked and temp is back up again - helped by the hot water being banged on... and i looked and nothing... nothnig moving, no cheeping bugger alL! ???

then i looked again and saw the tiniest little hole in a white silkie egg... i picked it up very very carefully and the darn thing started screaming... not cheeping gosh nearly jumped out my skin the noisy little bugger! ;D

Of course i am at school today sorting out the library at 12noon and i have loads to do witht he kids going away this weekend, but all i wanna do is watch the little chickie dee hatch :P

oh cant believe something is finally happening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

wish them all luck and that they hatch out alive! :P

WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: shirlthegirl43 on June 23, 2006, 08:19:50: Good luck, stay sane. Been fun watching the saga unfold!!!
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: Paulines7 on June 23, 2006, 09:16:48: OliveOil, sometimes they can hatch a day after the others so don't throw the eggs away until you are certain. :-\

When they have dried after hatching, I put mine in a large cardboard box lined with newspaper with netting over the top
to stop them clambering out and to keep them safe from my cat.
You will need a heat lamp strung above the box and a thermometer to check the temperature. If the chicks get too hot
they will move away from the lamp so you may need to raise it a little.
If they are too cold, they will huddle together beneath it.
I start mine off on Golden chick crumbs bought from Scats.
They will need a water dispenser too which will need to be changed frequently
as they tend to poo in it! ::)

Good luck. ;D ;D
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 23, 2006, 13:44:46: OO,
Great news, looks like you got a good one pipping ha ha.
Pity you have to go to work ha ha, I hope all hatch for you , you relay deserve it .
cannot wait to hear how many more have hatched.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 23, 2006, 17:34:38: Well chick no 1 is out! Only 8 hours after first pip - so pretty good i think! It seems stuck to membrane though ??? am leaving it alone... nothing else pipping yet - though this little one is making such a racket! I'm sure they will all come out with headaches and attack it for making such a horrendous cheep cheep cheep! It's really cute - not fluffed up yet!¬

Me and DS saw it hatch out the egg - it was great!
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: supersprout on June 23, 2006, 18:05:17: OOOOO OO! ;D
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 23, 2006, 18:07:48: Oh great is it standing up on legs yet? where is the membrane stuck?
With it cheeping should encourage the others to start pipping soon.
have you got water in the incubator?
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 23, 2006, 19:57:51: yes water in incubator - chick all out now... and wobbly on feet, not stuck anymore. Hope the others will have started by morning woohoo! Poor thing looks lonely in there.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 23, 2006, 23:11:24: Oh bless, great news its a hard job hatching but he/she will be up and at it tomorrow cheeping for the others to come out.
Its going to be a busy weekend for you hope you had nothing planed. ha ha
just put my babies in with toddlers tonight 23.00hrs been introduced for the last 3 days hope all goes well tomorrow.
My broody hen due on Sunday her sister has joined her she is now broody. So she has to be moved tomorrow.
Were off to Spain for a week next Sat so need them all sorted by then. I am so tempted to get some eggs for broody oh well.
Good luck over night
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 23, 2006, 23:58:37: Good luck with your hatch Teresa!!

No. 2 is on its way out... its a banty black orpington - shuold be out tomorrow morning when i get up. The little silkie is sat next to orp and they are cheeping together!

This is soooo exciting!
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 24, 2006, 09:06:58: The little black orpy emerged at 2am - and now a little pekin is pipping! Hope the rest start soon... the 1st 2 are almost dry now!
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: supersprout on June 24, 2006, 09:08:02: This is soooo exciting! I know nowt about hens, but learning fast ::) ;)
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 24, 2006, 09:37:58: Thanks OO
there getting a move on then, that little white silki chick is doing a good job getting the others to pip. More cheeping more chicks pip.
One of each so far keep going how many more eggs to hatch?
supersprout its is exciting hatching, as a child with mum in mid Wales hatching eggs oh the excitement, now in my 50's hatching with broodys and incubator when that first chick pips and hatches the rush of excitement is still there. Something special about bringing a life into this world.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 24, 2006, 10:08:24: Glad im not the only one! My OH says I'm 'wierd' to get so excited. He said he has never known a child get as excited as I do... says i have no control over my emotions! Oh and he added 'I dread to think how you will cope if something awful happens'. ;D

Theres 25 eggs left in the hatcher! And only one of them has pipped :(

The little bantam orp has done a green poo on the towel - is this normal? I'm thinking meconium but the silkie hasnt! ???
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 24, 2006, 13:35:35: Oh dont worry too much about the colour its like all babies discusting what comes out to start with if you are worried you can get chick crumbs with the antibiotic in them but honestly I have done fine on normal chick crumbs and clean water. As long as everything is keept clean water,food, and living aera for them they will be fine.
I am fussy I wash hands before and after even now better safe than sorry.
25 to go they will get going soon.
My OH though I was crazy hatching and when I bought a incubator well should have heard him go on.
But now he's so into it when they hatch and running round he's in there talking to them.
Our babies and toddlers he's back and fro giving them grass and lettuce hes worse then me ha ha.
You should see the poo after lettuce but they do love it little at a time hee hee it wizzes out the other end.
After what you have gone through so far with trying to hatch some the worse that can happen now is sprayed legs.
Just have some plasters ready 1/4 inch width and you should be fine.
keep going your doing a great job
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 24, 2006, 13:52:57: The pekin is out! it look black - was hoping for some red ones!

None of the others have started :-\

But the other 2 are fine - pekin is still really wet but lovely and not making much efforts to move about, oh and i can see the navel bit - its all pink and sticking out, hope it will be ok.

I think OH would be fine if i spent less time on pc and at the incubator and more time on housework and cleaning the chickens mess outside LOL... best go do it before he goes mad hehehe
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 25, 2006, 10:00:40: Oh any more on the way?
Chicks will start off one colour but not always stay that colour, had a silki X started black ( so excited) and ended up partridge.
How's the pekins navel if its still iffy you can bath with salt water and cotten wool twice a day it will heal up and feather no problems.
OO I am the one which digs the runs over, sweeps the woodshavings out and wash and scrub out with jeyes f. Even the one greenhouse which is a temp home for young ones.
I come in smelling like a rose garden OH's face is a pic but he cannot pick the dog poo up.
But he is a great cook and not afraid of the hover so cannot complain.
Think they call it job share hee heee.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 25, 2006, 12:24:19: Hi teresa

My OH cannot pick up dog poo or chicken poo either LOL.. i'm a hands on person - and job sharing is great!

Nothing else happeneing - i opened the only poland egg - it had pipped the internal membrane but died before it pipped the shell... seems i am gonna have quite a few like that ??? as i also opened a barred rock and it was the same.

I cant quite understand why i have had 3 great ones and the most of the others seem to have died before pipping - something mustve happened in the past couple of days i reckon with the temps - thats all i can think of!

The other 3 are doing great - the silkie and orp are little buggers and the pekin is very sweet.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 25, 2006, 12:46:50: Temp changing dont help,
but it does sound like moisture in the shell humidity, when the chick breaks the membrane if there is moisture in air sac they can drown.
First time I hatched, manufacture said water in from day one non hatched so reading this can cause chicks to drown.
So now only put water in 3 days before hatching.
Did not have a candler then and could not bring myself to crack open shell. Different now getting harder hee hee just have to know what went wrong.
Glad the 3 are doing well hope some more hatch for you.
have you been tempted to candle any or are you leaving it to nature for a few days then try ?
I wont ask how much these 3 chicks cost in total but pure breeds still cheeper to hatch than buy.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: Paulines7 on June 25, 2006, 18:56:06: Quote from: teresa on June 25, 2006, 12:46:50
I wont ask how much these 3 chicks cost in total but pure breeds still cheeper to hatch than buy.

Cheeper .............. I like it.

Cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 26, 2006, 08:57:01: OO any more out?
Mine are off and running well ?
2 hatched and 1 pipping cannot see at the back of hen so fingers crossed,
very nervours me first time broody just hope she does not stand on any.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 26, 2006, 09:07:38: Oooo thats great Teresa!!!! No more out here - a black silkie started and then died with its head out!???

I think i'll leave it til tonight then turn it off and give it a scrub... my mum forgot to take her orpy eggs home so i might put those in later hehehe.

Good luck with the broody - its all exciting isnt it!
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 26, 2006, 09:30:32: Oh OO that is so sad about the black silki to get so far and die how strange?
How many days over now are you? do try and candle before switching off just in case.
I am proud of my pullet bless her, first time broody, but the chicks not making a sound, shes talking to them but saw a yellow bum then a pair of grey legs standing so alive but so quiet.
Not like the chicks in the incubator at all noisy lot they were.
I have eggs under her sister now to keep her in one place its all go have to move the cockrel somewhere hes protecting the sister at the moment.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 26, 2006, 10:27:43: Sounds like you have your hands full! LOL

I candled eggs - all look dead so carefully opened them ALL... ALL dead, ALL perfectly formed, none of them had absorbed the yolk!

Just cleaning the bator now and will set the orpy eggs. OH is not going to be pleased as he wants the lamp back in the room which i've pinched.

Sooooo the saga continues......
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 26, 2006, 12:30:43: Oh thats a shame, so your trying again, how many Orpy eggs are you setting?
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 26, 2006, 16:22:41: 5 eggs in the bator Teresa!!!

Not sure how this lot will go. but they would only end up in the bin if i dont give them a go. Will candle again in a few days and see what happens but they are 7-11 days old now and silly me put them on the wet wall of the cellar yesterday so could have fluffed it already!
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 26, 2006, 16:42:05: Well as they say nothing ventured nothing gained.
One chap on a site said he had hatched up to 14 days old eggs after that the fertility goes down acording to him.
Dont know if you have been on this site
http://www.pekinbantams.com/troubleShooting.asp
think I still prefer the US one for problems.
I candle at 7 then 14 days, I cannot see much at a few days eyesite failing with age ha ha, at 7 I am sure of non fertiles and iffy ones at 14 can see whats going on and get dumped.
I do wish you luck with these eggs
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 26, 2006, 23:00:34: More bad news - the pekin chick keeps shaking its head... I've been advised to cull it if its no better tomorrow! Of course my daughter adopted this chick! Fingers crossed!
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: supersprout on June 26, 2006, 23:18:44: good luck olive oil, I am so impressed with your patience and tlc with these chooks (egged on by teresa lol) :)
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 27, 2006, 10:13:16: OO, I saw that thread thats the difference between breeders and us who do it for a hobby.
Any defect its cull seen it before.
Is the chick eating and drinking ?
Can it run across the box has a sence of direction?
or is it huddled in a corner not moving?
what have you on the floor of the box bedding wise?
It may have been pecked by the other chicks or a crumb stuck in the mouth a hundred other reasons.
If its not in pain, give it a chance at least a few days
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 27, 2006, 15:14:09: Quote from: supersprout on June 26, 2006, 23:18:44
(egged on by teresa lol) :)

SS you crack me up hee hee.

Well I am soo chuffed with my little broody, 9 eggs under her and she has hatched 5 out.
4 never made it half way oh well she is so protective wont let me near.
She came out of nest with brood and had a poo what a whopper then complained ( well had a fit is more the word) when I moved it out.
As long as she does not stand on them we should be ok.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 27, 2006, 16:13:52: Hi Teresa - congrats on your 5 new babies!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The little pekin - is running about fine, eating and drinking, coodination is fine for a 2 day old chick.

They are on Hempcore bedding, I put them on medicated chick crumb too... it seems much better than yesterday - its not stopped shaking its head, but its not doing it half as bad as yesterday,... so hopefully it will stop altogether soon.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: supersprout on June 27, 2006, 16:24:54: Is it too early for pictures? ::)
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 27, 2006, 16:28:24: they keep turning out blurry! I'll post the ones i have
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 27, 2006, 16:31:22: Tell them to stand still for the photo call heee heee
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on June 27, 2006, 16:39:05: its the blooming camera- i only had it 3 months and the flash went... forgot to take it back, warranty ran out... and its just hit and miss with the photos,,, flash still doesnt work and it rarely focusses correctly unless outside in lots of light.
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: teresa on June 27, 2006, 17:10:32: OO glad the little pekin is on the up fingers crossed

Oh drat OO you do have probs, dont suppose and new set of batt would help.
I was lucky my dad, god rest his soul, loved taking photos and got a good one which was our's we shared it bless him.
Just came in from babies, took saucers of food and water. Mum was not impressed with the new containers I bought special for her and babies.
So we had a feeding session she drank so much bless her I got babies drinking from finger she got them eating talk about a joint operation.
I need them drinking on there own soon.
But yes saw all 5, 2 black,2 yellow and one yellow and black.
My henze 57, hen mixed breed but a very good layer X silkiX c*ck.
Hopefully all pullets ( needle says?) heee heee
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: OliveOil on August 23, 2006, 09:57:33: Hup for the newbies - ahhhh i found the thread!¬
Title: Re: Incubator - changed from I just want to cry!
Post by: Hyacinth on August 23, 2006, 10:06:39: For sheer perseverence in the face of adversity you deserve a Gold Star* and this thread should be made a sticky 8)

How are they now? And did you get that camera fixed yet?