Adventures in Incubating Shipped Eggs

[Morrigan]

Last night after I last posted, my brain felt totally fried from hatch stress. I walked away from the incubator, had a glass of wine, anded watched American Ninja Warrior. I then went straight to bed, not even checking the bator one last time (!).

This morning I woke up feeling better about things and was greeting to three pieces of good news.

--A third Lavender Maran chick had hatched. There are now three trouble makers rampaging through the incubator.

--The mal-positioned chick had made significant progress on its hole and looks to be about 1/3rd zipped. It's poor egg was being tumbled about so by the others, it was hard for me to tell it was resting a bit, or currently working. I need to check in an hour, but I'm encouraged that it was able to expand the hole on its own overnight.

--I have a pip on one of my two Orpington eggs.

 

[Morrigan]

My last two guineas externally pipped and it was a full 24 hours before they zipped.

That's good to know. I did some more research, and one of the hatching guides said that an external pip can take between 30 and 48 hours to hatch and rarely need assisting.

 

[WVduckchick]

Last night after I last posted, my brain felt totally fried from hatch stress. I walked away from the incubator, had a glass of wine, anded watched American Ninja Warrior. I then went straight to bed, not even checking the bator one last time (!).

This morning I woke up feeling better about things and was greeting to three pieces of good news.

--A third Lavender Maran chick had hatched. There are now three trouble makers rampaging through the incubator.

--The mal-positioned chick had made significant progress on its hole and looks to be about 1/3rd zipped. It's poor egg was being tumbled about so by the others, it was hard for me to tell it was resting a bit, or currently working. I need to check in an hour, but I'm encouraged that it was able to expand the hole on its own overnight.

--I have a pip on one of my two Orpington eggs.

That must have been some good wine!

 

[Morrigan]

I needed it!

 

[WVduckchick]

I needed it!

No doubt!
By the way, if the wrong ender truly started zipping, I wouldn't let it sit more than an hour without more progress. Once it starts to zip, it should finish.

 

[Morrigan]

No doubt!
By the way, if the wrong ender truly started zipping, I wouldn't let it sit more than an hour without more progress. Once it starts to zip, it should finish.

It's hard to know when it started to zip. I'm going down to check it now.

 

[Cerise1924]

My last two guineas externally pipped and it was a full 24 hours before they zipped. I was about to assist because they were chirping. Then the zipping went fast. Out of 13 shipped I had 1 that didn't make it. On eggtopsy I discovered it had internally pipped the wrong end and I assume from malposition, it suffocated.

It is so sad when a little one comes this far and doesn't make it. Very sorry.
However, a hatch of 12 out of 13 is very good, indeed for shipped eggs! Congratulations on your dozen guineas.

 

[WVduckchick]

It's hard to know when it started to zip. I'm going down to check it now.

It doesn't really matter when it started. If it's a real zip going, and it pauses for more than 15 minutes at a time from the time I notice it, or total takes longer than an hour (give or take a few minutes) I'll help finish the zip. At minimum, peck on the window to urge them on. Especially wrong enders. Some breeds I help quicker than others.

 

[Cerise1924]

The room my incubators are in stays pretty warm, but I don't fret too much over it when assisting. I don't like the wet paper towel around an egg while assisting. I think the towel pulls the cooler air and can chill a chick. Lay a warm wet towel on your counter and feel how much it cools off in just a minute or two. Too rapid change for my comfort level. I know it may work for some, I'm just in the camp of not using them.
Broodies have changed alot of my perspective over the years. Lol

Yes, I understand and I agree. I keep a dish of very warm water at hand, and I dip the paper towel and use it to moisten the membrane, as needed. I don't want a chick wrapped in a cold, wet paper towel.

 

[Cerise1924]

Last night after I last posted, my brain felt totally fried from hatch stress. I walked away from the incubator, had a glass of wine, anded watched American Ninja Warrior. I then went straight to bed, not even checking the bator one last time (!).

This morning I woke up feeling better about things and was greeting to three pieces of good news.

--A third Lavender Maran chick had hatched. There are now three trouble makers rampaging through the incubator.

--The mal-positioned chick had made significant progress on its hole and looks to be about 1/3rd zipped. It's poor egg was being tumbled about so by the others, it was hard for me to tell it was resting a bit, or currently working. I need to check in an hour, but I'm encouraged that it was able to expand the hole on its own overnight.

--I have a pip on one of my two Orpington eggs.

That is excellent news!! Go Orp!