4th Annual BYC NYD Hatch-a-long

[Cynthia12]

I do have another question about candling. I have at least two eggs that are very dark, like they look more like pictures I see of like day 13 or so. I don't see any movement, but just very dark, on one, I can also see some veining.

I guess I didn't actually ask a question.... are these bad eggs, good eggs, either?

When I am incubating dark eggs, I go by the air sac, because they sure can go dark fast. If you see veining, great! There will be a time that you may not even see that. That's when you have to go by the air sac. Is there one? Is it a nice bright air sac? Some are dull, and it's just impossible to tell, but some are waay dull, you would know the difference in how it looks if you have been watching. Those dark eggs are hard all right.

 

[RavenWood]

OH NO! do you free range, are you going to keep them locked up now, do cougars attack in day?

Not at this time of year - snow is about 2' deep already. My laying hens are in a coop/pen with a wire roof, but my silkies/polands are in with my ducks and there is no top on that pen. It's a 6 foot fence, but a cougar would have not problems getting over it if they wanted. Cougars will attack whenever they are hungry or feel threatened. The joys of living in the wilds of northern BC Canada.

That's a worry! We had a mountain lion, aka cougar, killed a goat that lives a few houses away from me. My sheep are penned at night , but I still worry.
Sorry; about your eggs, that is always so disappointing! I pitched a bunch today with blood rings, even my own eggs aren't looking very good.

I have miniature horses too (and big ones) that I'm worried about. They are closer to the house, but not stalled at night.

Yes, I'm a bit disappointed in my eggs, but I suspected it would be difficult to find good fertilized eggs at this time of year out here. I'll just have to hope the Marans will produce something.

 

[SleepyOwl]

When I am incubating dark eggs, I go by the air sac, because they sure can go dark fast. If you see veining, great! There will be a time that you may not even see that. That's when you have to go by the air sac. Is there one? Is it a nice bright air sac? Some are dull, and it's just impossible to tell, but some are waay dull, you would know the difference in how it looks if you have been watching. Those dark eggs are hard all right.

Thank you! I will pay closer attention next time, but yes, on some of them the air sac seems very bright.

 

[FeyRaine]

They're alive, they're ALIVE,
well at least some are, some which up until 3 mins. ago I thought must have been infertile,
but tonight I see a central area w/ good veining in eggs B, C, & D, E, and my special Lovechild Egg W.

I tried looking at one of the way dark choc Maran eggs L , but it isn't giving up any secrets even w/ double flashlights.
But same Roo for all eggs (except W) so he was keeping company w/ some of those light shelled egg gals,
so likely at least a few of the Darks will be good also, woohoo

Everybody HAPPY DANCE NOW : )
FeyRaine

 

[Sally Sunshine]

They're alive, they're ALIVE,
well at least some are, some which up until 3 mins. ago I thought must have been infertile,
but tonight I see a central area w/ good veining in eggs B, C, & D, E, and my special Lovechild Egg W.

I tried looking at one of the way dark choc Maran eggs L , but it isn't giving up any secrets even w/ double flashlights.
But same Roo for all eggs (except W) so he was keeping company w/ some of those light shelled egg gals,
so likely at least a few of the Darks will be good also, woohoo

Everybody HAPPY DANCE NOW : )
FeyRaine

 

[SleepyOwl]

They're alive, they're ALIVE,
well at least some are, some which up until 3 mins. ago I thought must have been infertile,
but tonight I see a central area w/ good veining in eggs B, C, & D, E, and my special Lovechild Egg W.

I tried looking at one of the way dark choc Maran eggs L , but it isn't giving up any secrets even w/ double flashlights.
But same Roo for all eggs (except W) so he was keeping company w/ some of those light shelled egg gals,
so likely at least a few of the Darks will be good also, woohoo

Everybody HAPPY DANCE NOW : )
FeyRaine

Yay!

 

[Brechin]

Speaking of dark eggs, I am sure someone else may have recommended one, but what smaller flashlights have the most power and can candle a dark or colored egg? I have a giant led mag but it is like trying to hold a lead pipe while trying to candle.

ALSO, I have had many chickens in my life thus far but this is my first ever hatch. So a couple of questions. 1) Do I go into lockdown mode on day 18 or the day after? Today was day 18 for my TJ eggs but I figured I would wait until tonight to actually lockdown and not open it again for 3 days. Is this OK? 2) Is it OK to open up the incubator to get mostly dried chicks out and into the brooder? Or will this kill all the babies who have not come out yet in some unspeakable horror film kind of way? 3) How do you go about culling the ones who don't come out looking very promising in the non deformity department? I don't want a chick to suffer if they some out with one leg or no wings or something like that. When I worked at a pet store we would put critter (fish, hamsters, etc) out of their misery by putting them in the freezer so they would go to sleep and die.....but I was like 15! I still feel terrible and wrong about that.

THIS IS WHY I AVOIDED THIS HATCHING THING FOR SO LONG!!

 

[mlm Mike]

Speaking of dark eggs, I am sure someone else may have recommended one, but what smaller flashlights have the most power and can candle a dark or colored egg? I have a giant led mag but it is like trying to hold a lead pipe while trying to candle.

ALSO, I have had many chickens in my life thus far but this is my first ever hatch. So a couple of questions. 1) Do I go into lockdown mode on day 18 or the day after? Today was day 18 for my TJ eggs but I figured I would wait until tonight to actually lockdown and not open it again for 3 days. Is this OK? 2) Is it OK to open up the incubator to get mostly dried chicks out and into the brooder? Or will this kill all the babies who have not come out yet in some unspeakable horror film kind of way? 3) How do you go about culling the ones who don't come out looking very promising in the non deformity department? I don't want a chick to suffer if they some out with one leg or no wings or something like that. When I worked at a pet store we would put critter (fish, hamsters, etc) out of their misery by putting them in the freezer so they would go to sleep and die.....but I was like 15! I still feel terrible and wrong about that.

THIS IS WHY I AVOIDED THIS HATCHING THING FOR SO LONG!!

Question 1: Yes...anytime day 18 start of 19 is fine. The Brinsea Micro Incubator auto turner stops turning at the end of day 18, start of day 19.
Question 2: You can remove dried chicks quickly. Have a wet, warm/hot paper towel to toss in, this will help bring the humidity back up quickly. I try to do it when no other eggs are pipped, but if the little godzilla is smashing things around too much, I take hime out.
Question 3: I have never had something so grossly deformed hatch, I really wouldn't worry about that happening.

 

[sherry57]

Speaking of dark eggs, I am sure someone else may have recommended one, but what smaller flashlights have the most power and can candle a dark or colored egg? I have a giant led mag but it is like trying to hold a lead pipe while trying to candle.

I use my awesome FOURSEVENS QP2L-X. 360 lumens!! I love this thing. They're having a bunch of sales right now so go get one!

ALSO, I have had many chickens in my life thus far but this is my first ever hatch. So a couple of questions. 1) Do I go into lockdown mode on day 18 or the day after? Today was day 18 for my TJ eggs but I figured I would wait until tonight to actually lockdown and not open it again for 3 days. Is this OK? 2) Is it OK to open up the incubator to get mostly dried chicks out and into the brooder? Or will this kill all the babies who have not come out yet in some unspeakable horror film kind of way? 3) How do you go about culling the ones who don't come out looking very promising in the non deformity department? I don't want a chick to suffer if they some out with one leg or no wings or something like that. When I worked at a pet store we would put critter (fish, hamsters, etc) out of their misery by putting them in the freezer so they would go to sleep and die.....but I was like 15! I still feel terrible and wrong about that.

Me too! I've been laying awake nights thinking of how to do this hatching thing! Waiting for answers...

THIS IS WHY I AVOIDED THIS HATCHING THING FOR SO LONG!!

 

[mattfulleroc]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/729975/4th-annual-nyd-celebrity-chicken-look-alike-contest