A Cornish Cross (Breeding?) Journey

[Morrigan]

I hope the hatch goes well for you. Broody hens are the best. Very curious to see what you get.

 

[DemeterAD9]

Day 10-12 now and there are two nice looking Chunky eggs and the OE egg in which I cannot see through. Cracked open the 5 duds and sure enough zero development and the one was indeed a double yolk. These duds looked like scrambled eggs which I found odd. I’ve incubated infertile eggs for the whole 21 days and they were still intact with only a more watery egg white and flatter yolk. I assume it is a result of a less sterile environment.

 

[Molpet]

Day 10-12 now and there are two nice looking Chunky eggs and the OE egg in which I cannot see through. Cracked open the 5 duds and sure enough zero development and the one was indeed a double yolk. These duds looked like scrambled eggs which I found odd. I’ve incubated infertile eggs for the whole 21 days and they were still intact with only a more watery egg white and flatter yolk. I assume it is a result of a less sterile environment.

Lots of causes
I have it from stress I believe... whenever there's raccoon prints on the coop, along with stopping laying for a week.

What Causes Weak Egg Yolk Membranes - Timber Creek Farm https://share.google/31IRYblvyoqnaj4xV

 

[Tex452]

In the spring I was hatching at a 95% success rate with most eggs being fertile.
Ever since it turned hot, about half of the chicken eggs have been fertile, but nearly all of my quail eggs are fertile?

 

[DemeterAD9]

In the spring I was hatching at a 95% success rate with most eggs being fertile.
Ever since it turned hot, about half of the chicken eggs have been fertile, but nearly all of my quail eggs are fertile?

It could be the heat but I think in my case it has a lot to do with her and the cockerel being so young. Poor Chunky will pant even in mild 75F weather. We’ve been getting in the low 90s with humidity so she’s getting a bit stressed. Luckily the temps will be in the 70s next week.

The SLW X BJG cockerel sprained his leg or something so he’s been gimping around for a few days. Looks like he’s putting more weight on it today so must not be too serious. Really slowed him down though and I’m sure the pullets are fine with that.

 

[DemeterAD9]

4 more days, candled them tonight and both are moving around and I could finally tell the OE was also developing. If I am right, one egg should be a day or 2 behind the other so I'm thinking my bantam who has been sitting on a fake eggs for quite a long time, could be a backup broody if the legbar X leaves too soon.

 

[DemeterAD9]

Checked the broody to make sure she only had the 3 eggs and come to find out the OE egg is already pipped. Chunky's eggs look like they are absorbing fluids still so no pips from them. In the morning I'll likely pop the OE egg (or hatched chick) under the bantam broody so the legbar X can hatch the others.

Also caught Chunky laying just as I was locking up the birds and crawling under the coop to check for eggs. I was wondering why she wasn't getting up when I prodded her with a stick until she popped out an egg right before my eyes. She laid another double yolker a couple days ago and this time it was an XL, poor girl must have struggled with that one.

 

[DemeterAD9]

Not a Chunky egg but cute regardless. Fingers crossed it’s a boy!

One of Chunky’s eggs sounds like it’s internally pipped. I plan to wait and see what the broody decides to do before making any decisions.

 

[DemeterAD9]

Checked the eggs this morning as I let them out for the day. Found this little one a bit stuck so I helped it at least get its head free and it popped right out. Probably would have been fine without help. Took the photo a few hours later. Looks to have e a rose comb like the dad. Other egg is internally pipped.

I’ve finished setting up their temporary housing, just need to add water and food.

 

[DemeterAD9]

Checked the other egg and saw no movement and heard no peeps. Drilled a safety whole and still no sign of life so I opened up the air cell. Little guy was DOA but internally pipped and properly positioned so not sure what happened. It was nearly done absorbing the yolk too. White chick with a black dot on the head and back, also had a rose comb. Momma will have to be content with just 2.

Moved them all over to a ~3ftX3ft setup. Saw the white meaty chick eating already and showed it the water.

I have another new broody, a BJG, who I plan to process in a few weeks. Half tempted to let her sit on more of Chunky’s eggs but I’ve only got 2 and really don’t need any more birds…