2026 Emu Hatch-Along

[ShannonsChimkens]

Well this first hatch is not looking great, sadly. Of the 14 eggs, only 6 ever started wiggling. Of the 6 local eggs only 2 and I think one is malpositioned and will likely not hatch. It's wiggles are less evident and I can't "hear" the movement inside the egg like I can the others. If I could pinpoint where baby is trying to pip I could try and help, but the outcome will likely not be favorable. @ShannonsChimkens any suggestions?

Of the 8 shipped eggs, 4 of them wiggle, but 1hasn't for over a week now so I not expecting it to hatch.

As of this morning, there are 3 internal pips and whistles! The 4th is active in the egg so it should pip soon. Again, not confident in the 5th.

It's really surprising that the local eggs did so poorly compared to the shipped eggs. I think the local eggs didn't develop or start due to being the first eggs of the season, cold temperatures when laid or perhaps age of the eggs. I know at least one of the eggs was left out all night, but they didn't know which and with her only laying every 3 to 4 days the time it took to collect 6 was about 3 weeks. Emu eggs are viable that long but fresh is always best for a better hatch rate.

Some of these eggs could still surprise me, but I think it's highly unlikely.

The next hatch is due in about 2.5 weeks. Hopefully a better hatch rate! I already see a few wiggling!

Hopefully some babies will hatch out later today or tomorrow.

If you have to make a rescue or inspection hole, set the egg out for a minute or two. The cooler spot on the egg is where the air cell is located. You can use a medium sized drill bit and slowly start making a tiny gouge in the egg shell. Once you do that for a bit, you can use the very tip of the bit and lightly twist it. It will expose the membrane that can be punctured to allow air in.

This is only if it’s necessary. Hopefully it’s not

 

[Strawberry74]

If you have to make a rescue or inspection hole, set the egg out for a minute or two. The cooler spot on the egg is where the air cell is located. You can use a medium sized drill bit and slowly start making a tiny gouge in the egg shell. Once you do that for a bit, you can use the very tip of the bit and lightly twist it. It will expose the membrane that can be punctured to allow air in.

This is only if it’s necessary. Hopefully it’s not

Thanks! Hopefully I don't have to do that again because the last time I did it did not turn out well. But we now have five internal Pips and One external pip so I think we're on the right track.

How many babies did you end up with or are you still hatching? How are the little poop machines

 

[Strawberry74]

I might have spoke too soon. They 5th egg started making internal pipping movement sounds. Baby must have been sleeping preparing for the big debut when I was listening early this morning!

So let's play a game.... who will enter the world first and what color for the eggs that could be a color other than regular?

R-1 Chance for all 3 colors
R-3 Chance for all 3 colors
W-2 White or Blonde
B-3 Standard
B-6 Standard

@WingItRanch @tlcmurphy @ShannonsChimkens @MGG

Anyone else wanna make a guess? Time is ticking!

 

[WingItRanch]

Thanks for the tag! For some reason I stopped receiving notifications!

I'm going to throw my bet on R3! Maybe blonde?

 

[Strawberry74]

I guess I better play my own game lol.

1 - B-3 Standard
2 - R-1 Blonde
3 - W-2 White
4 - R-3 Blonde
5 - B-6 Standard

 

[Strawberry74]

Come on @tlcmurphy cast your vote!

 

[Strawberry74]

Baby B3 just arrived! Hatching bag worked great!