Adventures in Incubating Shipped Eggs

[Cerise1924]

I love when the timid little chicken becomes a fierce broody.

I hope you are having a great birthday and your last svart pulls through.

Thanks! Last Svart chick is still breathing. Beak is moving. Veins are surprisingly still active. It may be a Day 24 hatch.

 

[Jayellebee]

Hey guys! I have a couple questions about my shipped duck eggs... I have 1 week left!! It seems like this has been a lifetime!
I put my eggs in the incubator 3 weeks ago today, at about 3 pm. I counted that day as day 0. I know I start lock down on the 25th day. But do I turn my eggs for that 25th day? Or do I start lock down on the morning of the 25?
I have 4 eggs left out of 7. I candled them tonight. I can see movement in all 4. 3 of the 4 are pretty dark so you can’t see much at all, but some moving here and there. The 4th one is a little different. You can make out both feet and everything. The duckling seems very small and is moving a TON in all of its extra room. Do you think I’m going to have problems with this little one?
Thanks for all your help! You guys are awesome

 

[ldawntaylor]

Thanks! Last Svart chick is still breathing. Beak is moving. Veins are surprisingly still active. It may be a Day 24 hatch.

I hope all goes well.

 

[Morrigan]

Hey guys! I have a couple questions about my shipped duck eggs... I have 1 week left!! It seems like this has been a lifetime!
I put my eggs in the incubator 3 weeks ago today, at about 3 pm. I counted that day as day 0. I know I start lock down on the 25th day. But do I turn my eggs for that 25th day? Or do I start lock down on the morning of the 25?
I have 4 eggs left out of 7. I candled them tonight. I can see movement in all 4. 3 of the 4 are pretty dark so you can’t see much at all, but some moving here and there. The 4th one is a little different. You can make out both feet and everything. The duckling seems very small and is moving a TON in all of its extra room. Do you think I’m going to have problems with this little one?
Thanks for all your help! You guys are awesome

I've only worked with chicken eggs, but I think the answers are the same.

I stop turning on the beginning of lock down day. From what I read, it's not a fine line to walk, as far as when to stop. A day more, or less, of turning is not a big deal. Same as for the increased humidity. As long as you are in the general range of 2 to 4 days before you expect hatching, you are fine.

Each egg is different. Your little one may take longer to hatch or . . . it could be the first one out. Since there is nothing you can do about it at this point, try not to worry. It is all up to them at this point.

The last week seems to take forever! I hope you hatch goes well and keep us posted.

 

[Cerise1924]

I've only worked with chicken eggs, but I think the answers are the same.

I stop turning on the beginning of lock down day. From what I read, it's not a fine line to walk, as far as when to stop. A day more, or less, of turning is not a big deal. Same as for the increased humidity. As long as you are in the general range of 2 to 4 days before you expect hatching, you are fine.

Each egg is different. Your little one may take longer to hatch or . . . it could be the first one out. Since there is nothing you can do about it at this point, try not to worry. It is all up to them at this point.

The last week seems to take forever! I hope you hatch goes well and keep us posted.

 

[Jayellebee]

I've only worked with chicken eggs, but I think the answers are the same.

I stop turning on the beginning of lock down day. From what I read, it's not a fine line to walk, as far as when to stop. A day more, or less, of turning is not a big deal. Same as for the increased humidity. As long as you are in the general range of 2 to 4 days before you expect hatching, you are fine.

Each egg is different. Your little one may take longer to hatch or . . . it could be the first one out. Since there is nothing you can do about it at this point, try not to worry. It is all up to them at this point.

The last week seems to take forever! I hope you hatch goes well and keep us posted.

Thank you!!

 

[Cerise1924]

I hope all goes well.

Thank you!
The assisted hatching link that @Morrigan sent me had a bit of information I'd never seen before: "If the chick is making yawning or eating motions, it's still absorbing the yolk. Leave it alone for now." It is definitely snapping its beak, so I shall leave it and keep hoping for the best. The chick seems strong!

 

[lawson1986]

Chickspam! I got pictures a couple days after the hatch, and am finally remembering to share the cuteness. All six chicks are doing wonderfully! This was the first hatch for both mama hens and they are doing an excellent job.

View attachment 1414646
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The mille fleur D'uccles! They're a week old now, and have fully feathered wings
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The mottled Cochins! They are the sweetest little things.

Chickspam! I got pictures a couple days after the hatch, and am finally remembering to share the cuteness. All six chicks are doing wonderfully! This was the first hatch for both mama hens and they are doing an excellent job.

View attachment 1414646
View attachment 1414653
The mille fleur D'uccles! They're a week old now, and have fully feathered wings
View attachment 1414654
View attachment 1414656
The mottled Cochins! They are the sweetest little things.

Gorgeous hens!!! That second one... Oh my. She may be one of the most beautiful things ever! I want one... Who looks just like her!!!

 

[lawson1986]

Meet my two bantam Cochins who have hatched... Two out of like 12... Terrible hatch rate, but I'm happy to have the two. For shipped eggs... I'll take it. The lavender one is the one I assisted, who I have named Skittles, and the beautiful little Fleur Mille baby I have named Reece's.

 

[lawson1986]

Right now I also have 3 silkie eggs (from my own birds) and then 3 shipped welsh Harlequin duck eggs on lockdown. Plus I left the Cochin bantam eggs in to give them a couple more days, but candling still looks like they are all quitters.