It's not that the 2011 stock is bad, I just would've preferred more recent stock since it would make improving the line easier. But! I may get GREAT hens and roos out of these eggs. No way of telling for the next 21 days. :)
No, mine are from 2011 stock. :( Best I can do for now since that was the closest at 2.5 hours drive away. There's someone about 2 hours away who is doing awesome things with their CL flock but they have a long waiting list so I'll get I that now and maybe have some chicks or eggs from them in a...
No worries! :)
I count it a blessing if I get a hatch that favors one gender when starting breeding stock. I like to have at least two different sources of genetics anyway so it makes it easier for me to pick through them. :)
Aww. Well this way you can choose the best personality and who has the best features and if you get some females from a different source, you'll have fresh genetics to hatch eggs from. :)
Hehehee, thanks. :) I'm glad you guys found it funny! If I ever were a veterinarian I think I would have to make a poster like that and hang it in an exam room.
Obviously you need to purchase the chicken eye exam poster which has pictures of various insects that get progressively smaller and see how far down the line the chicken can identify from a reasonable distance. :)
In my very limited experience, it seems that shipped eggs have highest incidence of deformities. Every batch of shipped eggs I've done, at least one chick, usually more, have weird feet or strange belly buttons.
The belly button ones seem to usually die after a day of two. The feet are fixable...
Well d*mn it, the last chick died during the night. It pipped that evening and was very vocal and I was so hopeful but when it hadn't hatched by morning I took a closer look and couldn't see any breathing and the pip looked strange so I candled and sure enough. :/
Upon eggtopsy, there wasn't any...
I did end up losing most of the I hatched eggs and only have one CL egg still showing signs of life. :(
But the hatchlings made it just find and are looking great.
By the way, the third picture has 2 BCMs in it as well.
We are hanging out in the car with an electric blanket made for cars so the hatchlings get a little warm blanket nest and the eggs are wrapped up underneath them. Thermometer says 91.4F and rising.
I just hope I wasn't too late.
Pictures of little ones make everything better, though, right? :)
Thank you! It is very strange as the weather is completely calm and pleasant... No wind of storms...
And it was on really weakly for a minute.... I turned off all the lights because the flickering was freaking me out. :P
I'm possibly going to have to "call in sick" for work today...
But I...
OH NO! The electricity just went out!!!! :((((((
I put blankets on the incubator and hatcher but of course am worried sick!!!!! Who knows how long it will be out!!
As someone also said, candling is a great way if your flashlight is bright enough (try an LED).
Personally when we get to day 15 or so I can tell by the warmth of the egg. If I'm turning or candling, the dead eggs always cool off first and never feel as warm as the live eggs. You can tell by...