Adventures in Incubating Shipped Eggs

[HenniesInMyHeart]

So, 100% of my eggies are shipped. I currently have 4 'bators running (I know, I know!).

Brinsea Octagon 20 Advance EX: 24 blue laced red wyandottes, set 6/10
Brinsea Octagon 20 Advance: 11 black cochin, 12 silkies, set 6/3 and 6/7
Janoel-10 (manual): 3 blue-laced red wyandottes, 4 silkies, set 6/10 and 6/13
Janoel-12: 12 silkies, set 6/13

I have had very poor hatch rates, lost $100's and was near giving up when I learned that altitude is a factor. My eggs have been shipped from sea level or at least lower altitudes because I can't find the breeds I want from higher altitude breeders, and I've had so many die in lockdown because they can't get enough oxygen. So, now, I will be providing supplemental O2 at lockdown. I am praying for the best! Love and good hatch juju all around!

 

[chantels1]

So, 100% of my eggies are shipped. I currently have 4 'bators running (I know, I know!).

Brinsea Octagon 20 Advance EX: 24 blue laced red wyandottes, set 6/10
Brinsea Octagon 20 Advance: 11 black cochin, 12 silkies, set 6/3 and 6/7
Janoel-10 (manual): 3 blue-laced red wyandottes, 4 silkies, set 6/10 and 6/13
Janoel-12: 12 silkies, set 6/13

I have had very poor hatch rates, lost $100's and was near giving up when I learned that altitude is a factor. My eggs have been shipped from sea level or at least lower altitudes because I can't find the breeds I want from higher altitude breeders, and I've had so many die in lockdown because they can't get enough oxygen. So, now, I will be providing supplemental O2 at lockdown. I am praying for the best! Love and good hatch juju all around!

Wow!!! How do you plan on supplementing oxygen, and how do you have 4 incubators if you keep having bad hatch rates? Upgrading cuz you thought it was the bator, but now know it's oxygen? I hope it works out!!!!

 

[Morrigan]

What do you do with all the chickens? Do you breed and sell?

 

[Zinjifrah]

So, 100% of my eggies are shipped. I currently have 4 'bators running (I know, I know!).

Brinsea Octagon 20 Advance EX: 24 blue laced red wyandottes, set 6/10
Brinsea Octagon 20 Advance: 11 black cochin, 12 silkies, set 6/3 and 6/7
Janoel-10 (manual): 3 blue-laced red wyandottes, 4 silkies, set 6/10 and 6/13
Janoel-12: 12 silkies, set 6/13

I have had very poor hatch rates, lost $100's and was near giving up when I learned that altitude is a factor. My eggs have been shipped from sea level or at least lower altitudes because I can't find the breeds I want from higher altitude breeders, and I've had so many die in lockdown because they can't get enough oxygen. So, now, I will be providing supplemental O2 at lockdown. I am praying for the best! Love and good hatch juju all around!

I'd like to know how you're going to supplement oxygen, as well. I hadn't heard of that being a problem... I'm at about 4500 feet elevation, and all of my shipped eggs came from low elevations as well. Not a huge elevation, but I can see how it could have had an effect on eggs, after doing a bit of reading on it. That's a factor I'd never considered.

 

[chantels1]

Zipping time... I think. Externally pipped 13 hrs ago. The bottom pip. Just checked in it, and this 2nd pip appeared above the first pip. Hoping he/she gets busy now!! Come in baby! I have spent a small fortune in you!!!

 

[chantels1]

Well my egg pipped at 930 last night. Then made a second pip above the first at 11:30 but didn't zip. I can not see into the egg. I have 2 scenarios playing in my head. The 1st is the first pip I saw was supposed to be the internal pip. It is not placed poorly, but was pretty low. In this scenario, I should wait and not help the chick.

2nd scenario is the chick may be weak since they are shipped eggs. That was the external pip and it started to sip and then quit.

My gut says I should sit on my hands until 9:30 tonight. That will be 24 hours, then I can take a peek.

Hope I can convince my head to listen to my gut cuz I have 2 other external pips in there too.

 

[Morrigan]

If you are fairly confident in the line you drew around the air cell, it looks like it first pipped right to external . Also, didn't this pip happen on Day 19? In my lock-down mania, I remember reading that external pips are often the first pips you see, because they just skip right over the internal pip stage. My gut tell me you should follow your gut, and sit on your hands for awhile.

Here is a link to a article on assisting hatching from this site that spends some time explaining why you shouldn't assist too early.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching.64660/

 

[chantels1]

If you are fairly confident in the line you drew around the air cell, it looks like it first pipped right to external . Also, didn't this pip happen on Day 19? In my lock-down mania, I remember reading that external pips are often the first pips you see, because they just skip right over the internal pip stage. My gut tell me you should follow your gut, and sit on your hands for awhile.

Here is a link to a article on assisting hatching from this site that spends some time explaining why you shouldn't assist too early.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching.64660/

Yes, this is exactly what I am thinking. The first pip was small too, which coincides with internal pip vs external. Trying to stay occupied and not open the bator. I can hear chirps every so often, but with two other external pipes now I don't know how that egg is doing and it drives me nuts.

 

[Morrigan]

I know the feeling!

Here to hoping you have zipping starting up soon.

 

[Jayellebee]

Yes, this is exactly what I am thinking. The first pip was small too, which coincides with internal pip vs external. Trying to stay occupied and not open the bator. I can hear chirps every so often, but with two other external pipes now I don't know how that egg is doing and it drives me nuts.

WHY DO WE DRIVE OURSELVES CRAZY WITH THIS?!
Good luck to your babies!