Adventures in Incubating Shipped Eggs

[Morrigan]

I guess the thinking is that the ripples will show very slight movement better than your eye could see. I say, I guess, because I've only candled dead eggs where zero movement correctly predicted a dead chick.

At this point, I don't see any harm in creating an air hole like Zinjifrah suggested.

I agree that it doesn't look great, but still holding out hope for you and sending positive thoughts.

 

[Morrigan]

Came home to one external pip. This is for the bantams that are due tomorrow. I currently have 3 incubators going with 6 staggered hatches expected over the next 10 days or so... Alot to juggle can't wait for my fuzzy butts!!

Congrats on the pip. And, wow, 3 incubators going.

 

[TotallyShellyTurtle]

Graphic pics ahead...

They didn't make it. Both were dead. How far along were they, do you think?

 

[Cerise1924]

I can't see these impossibly adorable pictures. It makes me want ducklings and have no room for ducks.

I know!! I want ducks, too. Our childhood pets growing up were ducks. Other kids had dogs or cats and we had ducks. However, at present it is not legal to keep ducks where I am. Nor may we have geese. Pigs, yes.

 

[Cerise1924]

Came home to one external pip. This is for the bantams that are due tomorrow. I currently have 3 incubators going with 6 staggered hatches expected over the next 10 days or so... Alot to juggle can't wait for my fuzzy butts!!

Congratulations! Sounds like an exciting time at your place.

 

[Cerise1924]

Graphic pics ahead...

They didn't make it. Both were dead. How far along were they, do you think?

Oh, I am so sorry. That is sad, indeed. I was hoping they were just late.

 

[Cerise1924]

How is the little svart chickie doing?

No change in the pip. I can't hear if there are peeps because Sebright #2 (hatched this afternoon) is cheering on Appenzeller #2, who has her beak out of the pip and is peeping back.

I am running the humidity high in that incubator, so I can quickly pull the Svart chick out this evening to see how it's doing.

I'm getting concerned that there is zero action from the second incubator - no rocking, no pipping, no peeping. I may sneak an egg out and listen to it.
UPDATE: Svart chick is still loud and strong. Veins have receded quite a bit! I think this will be a survivor.

Thanks for asking!

 

[Cerise1924]

Day 21 Update

The experiment is almost over. It was a mixed bag. On the positive side, the Lavender Marans are doing great! Of the 5 eggs I received, 4 went into lockdown. Two have now hatched, and the other 2 have pipped. I like the coloring on them -- the are really nice looking chicks. When they are out of the brooder and dry, I'll get some better pictures of them. Really hoping at least one is a hen!

The Orpingtons are, thus far, a let down. Of the 10 I received, only 2 made it to lockdown and so far, no pips. I'm still hopeful they may hatch, and if they both do, I will be OK with the outcome.

Back to brooder stalking! Hope other hatches are going well.

Sounds like a good hatch rate for the Marans chicks. I love my Marans from Papa's. Nice egg colour you have there, too. I hope your Orps come through.

 

[Cerise1924]

Since there were no pips, I did check eggs in the lower temp incubator.
-The first I checked, a Sebright, is probably DIS. It was a very porous egg. I put it back in, but RIP.
-The second peeped at me when I picked it up, and so I candled it and saw the internal pip and plenty of movement. This makes me very happy, because it means I might actually get a blue egg layer, if one of the twelve Legbar-Olandsk crosses makes it. Unless it's a roo.
I'm done meddling with that incubator, since I don't want to shrink-wrap any chicks once they start pipping.
The second Appenzeller is zipping right along. [Update: and has zipped right out with lightning speed! These Swiss chicks are strong. ]

Who still has eggs that might hatch tonight or tomorrow?

 

[WVduckchick]

Graphic pics ahead...

They didn't make it. Both were dead. How far along were they, do you think?

So sorry.
The top one kinda looks like intestines hanging out? Bottom one unabsorbed yolk. I'd say they both made it to at least day 19. I hate losing them that late.