Adventures in Incubating Shipped Eggs

[Morrigan]

Update from my Maryland shipped eggs that I set with my Texas eggs. The first eggs on this set (2) pipped this evening. This set had 14 that shipped to me and 9 made it to lockdown yesterday. Now we will see what the weekend brings in a hatch rate as these eggs and Texas really had the same treatment on everything except for shipping time and heat during shipping.

Hope to see lots of cute fuzzy pictures by Monday.

 

[Knighstar679]

My Maryland eggs hatched today with lots of assisting. Most were malpositioned.
They also had the problem of their air cells not being large enough either, my humidity must have been too high because I ended up loosing one in shell with barely a crack on the shell. Near as I could tell she ran out of air.

The others seem to be ok but seem extremely exhausted from a long hatch.

14 eggs set for this, 9 made it to lockdown, 8 hatch for a 57% hatch rate on the Maryland eggs.

 

[Cerise1924]

My first batch of shipped eggs hatched last night. I got 10, cracked one before setting, set 9, four had made it to lockdown, one died after lockdown and three ducklings hatched.

This was my first ever hatch. I had 3 out of the 4 that make it to lockdown be malpositioned. One hatched just fine.
My Texas shipped eggs have a 33% hatch rate. Not sure how good that is for a first time Hatcher like me but it felt good to see the babies.

And because who doesn’t love pictures here they are

View attachment 1474435

Awww, ducklings! They are beautiful.

 

[Cerise1924]

I can't believe how good my Belgian D'Uccles eggs are looking! The air cells are neat and perfect, and completely stabilized. All 11 eggs (of 12 ordered, 14 received) have strong veining and beautiful dancing chickies. I wish all shipped eggs did this well.

The breeder is a little uncertain about giving bantam eggs to a LF as big as a Brahma, but I trust my Shimmer. She's a gentle lady, and she is trying so hard to hatch infertile eggs. She deserves a chance!

I'm going to give her 4 of the 11 eggs. So, if it's a disaster, I still have some in the incubator. I'm surprised to learn what a popular breed this is around here, considering they're not great for egg production. I already have people waiting for some of these.

Hatch date is August 1, but I bet they'll be early.

 

[Cerise1924]

I don't know what to do. I ended up giving the broody Brahma all 11 Belgian D'Uccle eggs, because I am down with bronchitis and exhausted. I thought it would be easiest to have mama hen take over hatching and brooding. She's been a devoted broody, and three chicks hatched today, and several others have pipped. However, one of the three was evidently squashed and killed. It's so sad. I think the Brahma is just so big and heavy, and the little one must have ended up under one of her feet.

Do I start the incubator back up and take in the other eggs that have pipped? Or do I trust that she'll be okay and careful with the other chicks? Hard to make a decision right now, because I'm tiring easily and not thinking all that well.

Is it okay for me to lift her and check for chicks every half hour? Might that save a life? She grumbles at me, but she is in broody trance and allows me to just set her back in place.

Any advice is welcome.

 

[Morrigan]

Oh gosh, I wish I had some great advice. I thought she would be OK and not squash the chicks, so clearly I know nothing, and feel horrible that I gave you such bad advice. I think it is fine to lift and check and do what you can to help them. What a shame. Maybe some of the chicks will make it. It's also fine if you can get the bator fired up in time and quickly transfer any unhatched eggs in there. At this point, every decision will carry some risks.

Sorry to hear that you are under the weather. Take care of yourself and try not to stress too much over whatever you decide to do. I wish I was there to help you.

Edited: I read your post again and saw that only 1 was squashed -- I first thought they all had been squashed. Are you sure it was squashed and not just a bad hatch? I've had chicks hatch and die under a broody before. If two made it, the others might. If you are sick, just let mama do her best and try not to worry.

 

[Cerise1924]

Oh gosh, I wish I had some great advice. I thought she would be OK and not squash the chicks, so clearly I know nothing, and feel horrible that I gave you such bad advice. I think it is fine to lift and check and do what you can to help them. What a shame. Maybe some of the chicks will make it. It's also fine if you can get the bator fired up in time and quickly transfer any unhatched eggs in there. At this point, every decision will carry some risks.

Sorry to hear that you are under the weather. Take care of yourself and try not to stress too much over whatever you decide to do. I wish I was there to help you.

Edited: I read your post again and saw that only 1 was squashed -- I first thought they all had been squashed. Are you sure it was squashed and not just a bad hatch? I've had chicks hatch and die under a broody before. If two made it, the others might. If you are sick, just let mama do her best and try not to worry.

I think you gave me fine advice, so please don't feel bad at all. This is a learning experience for all of us. Yes, the chick was clearly squashed, but it may have been a weak chick on hatching. Hard to say.

i ended up sitting in the coop next to the broody, checking under at intervals. She had stepped on a 4th egg that was hatching and crushed the shell. I removed the egg and the chick hatched in my hand. i held it for an hour and a half until it seemed stronger, and then put it under mama, away from her big feet. The chicks seem most vulnerable when they are hatching, and safer when they can stand. I just pulled out chick # 5, which is a bit of a mess. This is the egg that didn't look proper when I candled, and had a loose, odd air cell. The chick has one eye shut and a wing that looks small or stuck. I am holding it right now, as it kicks out of its remaining shell. I think I'll slip it back under the broody in an hour and hope for the best.

Because the sun is going down, I am counting on the broody to settle quietly for the night and not stomp on any more eggs or chicks. Hopefully, they will all hatch tonight and will be strong and agile enough by morning to evade the big Brahma feet.

I think she wants to be a good mum.

 

[Cerise1924]

She really is trying to do a good job, her first time hatching She's just so big and there are an awful lot of eggs and tiny chicks underfoot.

 

[Morrigan]

Sending you, mama broody and all the chicks my best and most positive thoughts. Hopefully tomorrow morning brings good news.

 

[Cerise1924]

Sending you, mama broody and all the chicks my best and most positive thoughts. Hopefully tomorrow morning brings good news.

Thank you!