24 Orpington Eggs in the bator -6 week update - Page 12

What do you think of the colors, TOH?  As soon as the other 4 get dry I'll post some photos. 1 is already looking really light.

Thank you everyone!

This hatch has been the most exciting for me. It is the very first hatch of eggs since I have been in Va. I was beginning to think I had forgotten how.  My internet access has been off and on all weekend so I am behind in posting the rest of my hatch.

Hatchlings 10 and 11 came out easily and like clockwork following the first 9. One minute nothing going on but some chirping and rocking and the next thing you know there is 2 new chicks in the bator.



Eggs 12 and 13 had been chirping loud and rocking since the beginning of the hatch. These were two of the largest eggs. 2 of the first to show pips. I know deep down if I had followed my gut instinct #9 would not have died. The shell was thick is just could not break out and died trying. Watching these two eggs struggle left me torn. Don't open the bator! Sit on your hands! Like I tell all new hatchers. My gut instinct was there was a problem and they would die if I didn't help. I followed my gut!



I chipped away some shell and the membrane was as tough as leather. I damped it with warm water and boosted the humidity to 80%.



This one when I tried to chip away a bit of shell the shell came in away and 2 big chunks. The membrane was so tough  I couldn't easily tear it. I wet this one with warm water and slipped it back in the bator.

Within 30 minutes both chicks had pushed their way out.



One shell had a little bit of veining in it but the yolk and nothing was attached. Their belly buttons were clean.



There is one egg left in the bator this morning. It is not pipped. I candled it last night and the air cell is good and I believe I saw movement in the eggs. I am waiting. Impatiently. We'll see what develops over the next 2 days.

My hatch rate so far is 85.7%. Not too shabby.