8th-annual-byc-new-years-day-2017-hatch-a-long

[DwayneNLiz]

Ok, so I'm pretty sure I suck at candling...couldn't figure out which way to turn the egg...but I got a kinda decent pic of the one that I could barely see a couple little veins in. It doesn't show up super well in the pic. It's right about in the middle. Can you see them?

That's good ole #7. Had faith in that one from the beginning, and as of now, it's the only one that I am willing to guess is developing so far. Hopefully when I candle again on Friday (day 7) I'll have some more definitive answers.
Also, quick question...I don't know if you can see them, but I saw these whitish little steaks that I thought were veins at first and wasn't sure what they are. Can anyone tell me? They kinda look like stress fractures or something. Is it normal? Pretty much all the eggs had these (they're at the bottom near the air cell, mostly):


ETA: Can any of you pros see something I might've missed? I'd love to know what you guys think!

and it looks like the hen could use more calcium in her diet, it is important for the hen to have a good healthy diet prior to incubating her eggs

I do have to say, I'm glad you posted your candling photos! In my head, I keep thinking there would be more to see! (insert wishful thinking

) I'm going to continue to try to wait until day 7. Oh man it'll be tough.

Do you guys have someone help you take your candling photos, or is it a balancing act?

I set my eggs in one of those liquid medicine cups that little kids use, which has play dough to keep it from falling over
or an extra turner tray rail

I hatched some Buttons a few yrs. back. They were fun! And Cute! And quick little stinkers. These are them.

awesome! i cant wait to retry coturnix!!

Yay! Does it have a faint circle surrounding it? As the blood vessels start to form, the bullseye enlarges and has a circular shape that eventually fades away. The reason I'm asking is because mine was on day 3 and it was starting to look spider but also had circle surrounding it and it was very prominent, leaning towards blood ring

gonna give it a few more days and see if it still is prominent or if it fades! Not too confident about it

 

[FreedomFarm13]

  and it looks like the hen could use more calcium in her diet, it is important for the hen to have a good healthy diet prior to incubating her eggs.

She should have sufficient calcium. In addition to the layer feed, there's free choice oyster shell. I don't see why she would have a problem with calcium. They also get plenty of greens and other scraps from the garden/kitchen.

 

[ronott1]

She should have sufficient calcium. In addition to the layer feed, there's free choice oyster shell. I don't see why she would have a problem with calcium. They also get plenty of greens and other scraps from the garden/kitchen.

Vitamin D is also necessary for eggs shell hardness--Some hens have weak shells but usually it is nutrition or parasites. This time of year it could be lack of sunlight too.

Adding calf manna to the feed along with a good vitamin may do it though. Calf manna has instructions on the bag for chickens.

You might want to consider taking in a poo sample for a float test to a vet . The cost should be about $15.00.

There is a list of things you are supposed to do before breeding season to improve hatch rates and chick health. Taking care of parasites is one of the things.

 

[FreedomFarm13]

Vitamin D is also necessary for eggs shell hardness--Some hens have weak shells but usually it is nutrition or parasites. This time of year it could be lack of sunlight too.

Adding calf manna to the feed along with a good vitamin may do it though. Calf manna has instructions on the bag for chickens.

You might want to consider taking in a poo sample for a float test to a vet . The cost should be about $15.00.

There is a list of things you are supposed to do before breeding season to improve hatch rates and chick health. Taking care of parasites is one of the things.

They don't have any parasites for sure. I've been really carefully monitoring them for parasites and using as many preventative measures as possible in that regard. And I actually did have a float test done...the vet said everything was normal. It must be a lack of vitamin D. There's vitamin D in apples, right?

 

[ronott1]

They don't have any parasites for sure. I've been really carefully monitoring them for parasites and using as many preventative measures as possible in that regard. And I actually did have a float test done...the vet said everything was normal. It must be a lack of vitamin D. There's vitamin D in apples, right?

No Vitamn D in an apple:

Welcome to the nutritional vitamin d content in 4 different types of an apple, ranging from 0 to 0 IU per 100g. The basic amount from the general description of an apple is Apples, raw, with skin which in 100g contains 0 IU of vitamin d.

Read more at http://www.dietandfitnesstoday.com/vitamin-d-in-an-apple.php#tiITBJoaL2pzpVeO.99

Are you adverse to giving them vitamins? Get one from the feed store that has Vitamin D in it--A powder that is added to the water. Give it to them a couple of days a week. I think you will be amazed at how well they do.

 

[FreedomFarm13]

No, not averse. I just try my best to raise them as naturally as possible without adding any supplements or anything like that. I don't give immunizations, either. I bet I can find a natural way to add vitamin D to their diet...I'll research it. Thanks for the help!

ETA: Duh. I'm silly. I'll just give them some crumbled hard boiled eggs and/or milk. I don't know what made me think apples...(shakes head)

 

[minihorse927]

I have growth in my NYD hatch eggs! e

 

[ronott1]

No, not averse. I just try my best to raise them as naturally as possible without adding any supplements or anything like that. I don't give immunizations, either. I bet I can find a natural way to add vitamin D to their diet...I'll research it. Thanks for the help!

Look into oils for Vitamin D. Be careful though--too much fish oil makes the eggs taste fishy.

I have never given immunizations or anti biotics either. I test for worms but they have not been detected. I have had some lice and mite issues and treated with ivermectin and valbazen.

Corid for Cocci was used a couple of times but I have not had to use it in several years. I do give them Big Ole Bird from Southland Organics and will add calf manna if the egg shells go soft. I have also used food grade DE but for the calcium in it--it is much more easily digested than oyster shell calcium.

 

[ronott1]

I have growth in my NYD hatch eggs!

That is great news!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

No, not averse. I just try my best to raise them as naturally as possible without adding any supplements or anything like that. I don't give immunizations, either. I bet I can find a natural way to add vitamin D to their diet...I'll research it. Thanks for the help!

ETA: Duh. I'm silly. I'll just give them some crumbled hard boiled eggs and/or milk. I don't know what made me think apples...(shakes head)

The ratio of calcium to phosphorus needs to be correct. Vitamin D regulates the use of those minerals in the body.
Fatty fish like salmon, herring and sardines are good sources. The dairy products that have vitamin D have been fortified.
Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin as are A, E and K.
Megadoses of the fat soluble vitamins can be toxic.
Chickens that forage outside all day AND are fed a complete feed should have sufficient D in their systems.

Look into oils for Vitamin D. Be careful though--too much fish oil makes the eggs taste fishy.

I have never given immunizations or anti biotics either. I test for worms but they have not been detected. I have had some lice and mite issues and treated with ivermectin and valbazen.

Corid for Cocci was used a couple of times but I have not had to use it in several years. I do give them Big Ole Bird from Southland Organics and will add calf manna if the egg shells go soft. I have also used food grade DE but for the calcium in it--it is much more easily digested than oyster shell calcium.

The advantage of oyster shell is that the large particles stay in the upper digestive tract longer allowing them to reach the calcium absorption sites in the small intestine at night when the egg is normally in the shell gland.