18 eggs into lockdown!

[UThobbyfarmer]

This is my 4th try at incubating. Previous hatches had extremely low hatch rates. This batch is a combination of my eggs, shipped eggs, and eggs sourced locally. I've got a really good feeling about them.

I'm not exactly sure when the local egg's were layed. A handful had good development already started when picked up. I was planning to lockdown tomorrow accounting for the staggered hatch. Well when candling today I say some internal pipping! Whoa, get those puppies into lockdown quick! Now about 4 hours I can hear it clicking away trying to pip. Sounds rhythmic and stong.

There's a few more interesting oddities things about this hatch I'll add in later today.

 

[theuglychick]

Yay! And congrats! We can't wait to see what you hatch out!

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

Two out so far. One more pipped. These are definitely the healthiest chicks I've had. Fluffing up quickly and very active. Once they started zipping they hatched within 20 minutes. I might finally have figured out the proper humidity for my area.

The interesting facts I mentioned earlier. Two of these eggs are shipped Marans. They both had detached aircells that never fully reattached. They reach almost completely down one side. I've marked the cells but it's not really worth tracking (too obscured by being detached). Their weightloss has been good. They are also the only 2 remaining eggs after almost all others were killed when the incubator spiked to 106 on Day 2. One of these remaining eggs had a verified shell temperature of 105.3! If they do hatch I'm hoping they have all their "fingers and toes".
Next I was given 20 eggs locally when buying a hen. It was rainy that weekend and the eggs were caked with mud and poop. She wasn't sure how old any of them were. A few were under a broody and others were on the ground getting stomped into the mud. They were as dirty as any eggs you can imagine. But they were free so I figured why not. Once home I soaked in a warm diluted Nolvasan solution (surgical grade disinfectant) until I could wipe off the nasty. Rinsed with warm water. Then dipped them in clean diluted Nolvasan solution . Air dried, dipped once more, air dried again. It must have worked because every single one that went into the incubator made it to lock down! These are the ones that are currently hatching. I think they are Easter Egger-Polish mix or purebred Polish. I'm really hoping for some all Polish. She had some chicks that were tiny but fully feathered and they were the cutest chicks I've ever seen. I'm planning on keeping and growing out whatever hatches until spring. Should be fun to see how they all turn out.

 

[ChiefSuperFly]

So cute! Glad you are having a successful hatch! Can't wait to see more pics!

 

[theuglychick]

That's quite a lot they had stacked against them, but you're doing great! So glad you're getting some babies! Keep the pics and updates coming!

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

This little guy hatched today. It's shell seemed to have quite a bit of blood in it after hatching. More than I've seen before but the chick is active and loud. That says it all I guess.

Three more have internal pipping.

 

[theuglychick]

Yay!!! I'm loving this! I may have missed this if you already mentioned it, but how are the shipped Marans eggs with the detached aircells progressing?

 

[Poultrybreeder]

Congrats that some of the chicks have hatched. GO LITTLE BIRDIES!!!

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

I candled the Marand heavily today. It's difficult to see anything but I'm pretty sure there was movement on the lighter egg. They are on day 20. This is what their air cells look like. Weight wise they've lost 11.5% and 14%.

 

[theuglychick]

I candled the Marand heavily today. It's difficult to see anything but I'm pretty sure there was movement on the lighter egg. They are on day 20. This is what their air cells look like. Weight wise they've lost 11.5% and 14%.View attachment 1139373

Oh! I'm going to be on pins and needles!

I always just ate the eggs with detached aircells not thinking they could be hatched!

I am amazed they're progressing so well.

I learn something on here everyday!!

Keep the updates coming!!