6th Annual BYC New Year's Day 2015 Hatch-A-Long

[Peep_Show]

My husband learned some wise advice from friends about womenfolk: Don't mess with the nest.

(Although I think in his instance it was referring to wanting to decorate the home in his preferred shade of Bachelor Black. "Oh, Honey," I cooed, "that's what Man Caves are for.")

 

[1zooman12]

Hello CNNbuck,
If the eggs in the setting hen nest are less than 3 days attendant you may add whatever amounts to a full clutch. What size and breed is your setter? The fact is that the started eggs will slowly slow down development and the added eggs will speed up a bit resulting in a clutch that will just about even out at hatching time. The developing chicks actually communicate with each other toward the end of the incubation period by a coded, DNA controlled clicking pattern. They peck the interior shell walls audibly. This way you will reap more chicks and not waste your valuable broody hen's time. We saw this phenomenon time and again when I was in the Poultry Science Department at university. And the babies seem none the worse foe wear for the experience.
Have fun,
Neal, the Zooman, (zoologist, ret.)

P.S. If anybody wants to discuss this interesting event or any other animal science/zoological topic I can be reached at any time: 1 (209) 327-2068.

 

[Aphrael]

Ok, here are a series of photos just for the fun of it. A little Yorkie I used to have along with a little BO I used to have. The Yorkie wants to play, the BO doesn't!

Awww. That is too cute! She just wants a playmate!

 

[hennible]

Hello CNNbuck,
If the eggs in the setting hen nest are less than 3 days attendant you may add whatever amounts to a full clutch.  What size and breed is your setter?  The fact is that the started eggs will slowly slow down development and the added eggs will speed up a bit resulting in a clutch that will just about even out at hatching time.  The developing chicks actually communicate with each other toward the end of the incubation period by a coded, DNA controlled clicking pattern.  They peck the interior shell walls audibly.   This way you will reap more chicks and not waste your valuable broody hen's time.  We saw this phenomenon time and again when I was in the Poultry Science  Department at university.  And the babies seem none the worse foe wear for the experience.
Have fun,
Neal, the Zooman, (zoologist, ret.)

P.S. If anybody wants to discuss this interesting event or any other animal science/zoological topic I can be reached at any time: 1 (209) 327-2068.

That is beyond interesting... Not surprising though, animals, plants, even us humans are just amazing ...

 

[Aphrael]

Well, of the 4 shipped eggs that had fully detached air cells, 2 have not reattached at all and the pores are seeping. BUT 2 of them have reattached! They are still jiggly but not rolling loose now.

The 10 that were jiggly, but not fully detached I didn't mess with to check on. I want to move them as little as possible.

 

[ronott1]

Well, of the 4 shipped eggs that had fully detached air cells, 2 have not reattached at all and the pores are seeping. BUT 2 of them have reattached! They are still jiggly but not rolling loose now.

The 10 that were jiggly, but not fully detached I didn't mess with to check on. I want to move them as little as possible.

That is great news!

Get rid of the seeping eggs.

 

[hennible]

When's candling day Ron?!

 

[ronott1]

When's candling day Ron?!

I will candle mine on Thursday for the first time. I will have to check the shipped eggs tomorrow for seeping though.

For now I am

myself to stay away from the eggs!

 

[Peep_Show]

It's hard, isn't it? You want to get in there and fuss with the incubator, rearrange eggs, check and double check the temps and humidity all the time, wonder if you can candle light-shelled eggs early.... What a bunch o' hand-wringers we are!

 

[ronott1]

New contest announcement!

Random Post contest #I
Prize: 1 dozen Mystery eggs donated by @michaelf

Open to hatch a long members except Hatch a long administrators. A post number has been selected. The first hatch a long member to post on or after the number is the winner! A backup post number has been selected to be awarded if the winner declines the prize.

The eggs donated are awesome too!

@michaelf Has an NPIP certified flock too!

Thanks!