Adventures in Incubating Shipped Eggs

[Morrigan]

I didn't collect the eggs out of the coop nests today. I'm hoping that the sight of eggs in the nests may inspire a hormonal young sussex to go broody.

 

[ChickNanny13]

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

Those being affected have it the hardest having to evacuate, loosing their homes, the concern for their pets/livestock and when will it end. The Island has come together, those that have pasture offering space, Humane Society housing & searching for pets, Nutrena (Miranda Country Store) just donated 4K pounds of feed, there are some that are helping searching for pets and helping those that need help evacuating, there's one guy Ikaika that's keeping us updated (first hand, more reliable than news) online, other Islands are sending supplies for those in need. We come together in a time of need.

Hilo is not affected, we're about 25 - 30 miles (south) from Leilani where the fissures have opened up. As long as the Trade Winds keep their direction we're ALL GOOD ... IF the winds change and come from the South, we're in for trouble. The fumes (Vog/sulfur) will affect us, that's the biggest concern for us. We don't have AC & majority of the homes have louvered windows, it will be toxic. That's the main concern for many ...

 

[SavKel&RynKel]

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.

Agreed.
I only candle on the official days as well. Which is officially days that end in y.
Or wait, was it- i only officially candle on the official days, and the other days i just "unofficially check to see whats happening".

All I'm saying is, I like to save all my patience for when they are out of the brooder. Because backyard chickens think they own the entire backyard!

 

[Zinjifrah]

Okay, checked and marked air pockets, since I didn't do that before. They all look good, except one that's larger than the others, but every egg - including Tiny! - had wiggling inside. About one week to go.

 

[Morrigan]

Those being affected have it the hardest having to evacuate, loosing their homes, the concern for their pets/livestock and when will it end. The Island has come together, those that have pasture offering space, Humane Society housing & searching for pets, Nutrena (Miranda Country Store) just donated 4K pounds of feed, there are some that are helping searching for pets and helping those that need help evacuating, there's one guy Ikaika that's keeping us updated (first hand, more reliable than news) online, other Islands are sending supplies for those in need. We come together in a time of need.

Hilo is not affected, we're about 25 - 30 miles (south) from Leilani where the fissures have opened up. As long as the Trade Winds keep their direction we're ALL GOOD ... IF the winds change and come from the South, we're in for trouble. The fumes (Vog/sulfur) will affect us, that's the biggest concern for us. We don't have AC & majority of the homes have louvered windows, it will be toxic. That's the main concern for many ...

Hilo is so beautiful. My thoughts are with you and hoping that Hilo remains beautiful, and you are safe. We had some terrible wild fires where I live 2 years ago, and know what you mean about the community pulling together. The worst of times bring out the best of people.

 

[Cerise1924]

It's Day 18 - Lockdown Day - for my shipped eggs from Papa's... except there's only one viable egg left (Lemon Orp), and it's under a new broody. I would normally candle, but I think I'll just leave her alone for the next few days, and hope for the best.

Or, maybe I should move her and the egg to a smaller coop within the run? I'm afraid that one of the big hens might make trouble, or that a nest box is too high up to be safe for a little chick. However, I'm also concerned that moving her might break the broody spell.

What to do?

In the meanwhile, it's Day 4 for my large batch of shipped eggs in the incubator, which means I can start hand-turning now.

 

[Rose Quartz]

I have a question for all you guys who have had eggs shipped to you, have any of them been sent by air?

 

[Morrigan]

It's Day 18 - Lockdown Day - for my shipped eggs from Papa's... except there's only one viable egg left (Lemon Orp), and it's under a new broody. I would normally candle, but I think I'll just leave her alone for the next few days, and hope for the best.

Or, maybe I should move her and the egg to a smaller coop within the run? I'm afraid that one of the big hens might make trouble, or that a nest box is too high up to be safe for a little chick. However, I'm also concerned that moving her might break the broody spell.

What to do?

In the meanwhile, it's Day 4 for my large batch of shipped eggs in the incubator, which means I can start hand-turning now.

Has she been in the same nest her whole brood? Are the big hens squeezing into the nest to try to lay their eggs?

If the answers are Yes, and No, I would leave her where she is. If she is being harassed on a regular basis, I would either take the chance and move her.

 

[ijon]

I am done with shipped eggs. Twenty three days nothing.

 

[oregonkat]

It's Day 18 - Lockdown Day - for my shipped eggs from Papa's... except there's only one viable egg left (Lemon Orp), and it's under a new broody. I would normally candle, but I think I'll just leave her alone for the next few days, and hope for the best.

Why do you think your eggs failed so badly? My eggs from Papa's usually do pretty well.

I have a question for all you guys who have had eggs shipped to you, have any of them been sent by air?

I would expect that the eggs sent from the other side of the country are initially moved by air from hub to hub.

I am done with shipped eggs. Twenty three days nothing.

I am sorry, it can be totally heartbreaking. Can you describe your incubating process in detail? Maybe there is something going on that we can help with. I try only to have eggs shipped from states that are on Oregon's borders to hopefully minimize shipping stress. This is not always the case however, but it helps.