Adventures in Incubating Shipped Eggs

[Zinjifrah]

The eggs looks great!

Well, I broke down and took a quick peek at some of my eggs which I set on Thursday. Of the orpington eggs, I saw 3 with signs of development. The 4 eggs with the large air sacs showed nothing , and I could really tell with the other 2. It's still early, so I left them all in the bator for now. I tested a couple of lavender maran eggs, but I couldn't see anything, then stopped on those, because signs of life are so faint at this stage, I didn't think there was any hope of seeing it through the dark shells. I didn't take any pictures, as I was worried about jostling the eggs around too much at this early stage. I probably shouldn't candled at all, as I've heard shipped eggs are a bit more touchy. Feeling a little discouraged and annoyed at myself for not sticking to plan. Patience is not a great virtue of mine.

I will try again at the end of day 5 when they are farther along. Hopefully I will have my fancy new candler and can take pictures.

Any signs of life are encouraging! At least you know that SOME of them are doing something.

On another subject, I just found this article and really enjoyed reading it. It had some interesting info on assisting incubated eggs to hatch.

https://countrysidenetwork.com/dail...echniques-for-artificial-incubation-hatching/

 

[ChickNanny13]

Watching .... I wanted to get a IncuView when I read all the great reviews but Hubby got me a Janoel12 for Valentines Day It's sitting in the box, calibrated and waiting I've wanted SiAMs since I first learned of them, learning all I can about hatching shipped eggs and attempting to find a breeder as close to HI as I can. Our Dept of Ag another issue, not the easiest to deal with In the mean time I will be learning all I can from you all Wishing you all the BEST

 

[oregonkat]

Patience is not a great virtue of mine.

This is absolutely one of the hardest things about incubating, especially when just starting out. It get easier as time goes on and for me, the realization that they really do fare better when left alone, was key to me keeping my curiosity at bay till official candling days.

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

I ordered 12 Brahma eggs online 2 weeks ago to put under my broody RIR hen. Today is Day 9 and 10 out of the twelve look great. The hen really is the best “incubator” of them all. Good luck with yours

This is absolutely one of the hardest things about incubating, especially when just starting out. It get easier as time goes on and for me, the realization that they really do fare better when left alone, was key to me keeping my curiosity at bay till official candling days.

Ha, yea that’s right. Over candling can have a huge effect on the eggs, the more you handle the eggs the more bacteria gets spread all over the shell. I only candle on day 7 and leave them be after that.

 

[Trux]

Another thing we do that is a little different is we bust out our chicks in distress while hatching. I started doing this when my husband and I about 3 or 4 years ago watched one of our broodys hens unceremoniously pull a egg out from under her , the chick was chirping frantically, she broke open the egg with her beak, pulled the chick out and stuffed it back under her. Nature at work !

What better way to learn a lesson in poultry keeping than from the hen herself!

 

[Morrigan]

My first few incubations I was so good at candling. I only candled at day 6 and again at day 13.

This is my first time with shipped eggs and I was so, so curious to see if any were viable. Plus, candling is just plain fun. I keep a daily to-do list for my farm, and I have actually written "leave eggs alone" on my list for the next couple of day, lol. If your hands are clean and you are careful, I don't think it's a huge risk, actually, but I feel I'm in a low-odds situation to begin with, so I don't want to lower them any further.

On another note, I had a hen start to exhibit some broody behavior. Puffed up a couple of times, and sat on the nest all morning. But, she's off it now and acting normal. My rooster is fixated on her, so maybe hormones are stirring.

 

[Zinjifrah]

I was determined not to do any candling until day 10 this time... But after finding the bad egg, I was concerned for the rest, so I figured better to candle than to risk a 'sleeper'. Besides, the clears and fail were pretty easy to spot by day five, and downright obvious by day 8, when I confirmed and pulled them. Day 10 ended up just making sure the remaining 13 were alive and squirming. I may candle again tonight, instead of waiting for the 17th (my next scheduled candling date), just to check air pockets.

 

[Morrigan]

Watching .... I wanted to get a IncuView when I read all the great reviews but Hubby got me a Janoel12 for Valentines Day It's sitting in the box, calibrated and waiting I've wanted SiAMs since I first learned of them, learning all I can about hatching shipped eggs and attempting to find a breeder as close to HI as I can. Our Dept of Ag another issue, not the easiest to deal with In the mean time I will be learning all I can from you all Wishing you all the BEST

How are you doing with the eruptions? It looks really scary in the news.

 

[Morrigan]

I was determined not to do any candling until day 10 this time... But after finding the bad egg, I was concerned for the rest, so I figured better to candle than to risk a 'sleeper'. Besides, the clears and fail were pretty easy to spot by day five, and downright obvious by day 8, when I confirmed and pulled them. Day 10 ended up just making sure the remaining 13 were alive and squirming. I may candle again tonight, instead of waiting for the 17th (my next scheduled candling date), just to check air pockets.

I think making sure there aren't rotten eggs brewing is a good idea. I want to remove obvious duds as soon as possible, as well.

I can't wait to hear how your hatch goes.

 

[Zinjifrah]

I think making sure there aren't rotten eggs brewing is a good idea. I want to remove obvious duds as soon as possible, as well.

I can't wait to hear how your hatch goes.

Me too! And I'm hoping you get good fertility on yours, too!