Anyone setting eggs May 1st?

[popsicle]

I set 2 turkey eggs on May 1st. Then I set 7 Genetic Hackle eggs in the same incubator on May 2.

I wasn't sure if the turkey eggs would do anything--the hen's tom was processed a month earlier, then I sold the hen and I got the first couple eggs she laid at the new place. The tom there was a lonely BBB. So I really wasn't confident the eggs would be fertile. It seems there might be activity in the eggs, but I think it's early (candled on day 8) and I really have no experience incubating eggs.

The Genetic Hackle eggs were shipped, and I've got 3 growing for certain. I'm waiting until day 10 or 14 to decide on the others. I'm super excited for these potential chicks!

I know it's not the best idea to put the turkey and chicken eggs together, but I didn't want the shipped eggs to wait a week before putting them in the incubator, and I put the turkey eggs in as soon as I could. Regardless, I can borrow a second incubator for the turkey eggs once the chicken eggs are ready for lockdown.

 

[joyfulkeeper]

Popsicle - I hope your hatches go well. What are genetic hackle eggs?

We just found one of our broody's eggs smashed under her. We had really bad weather yesterday. Could she have gotten freaked out from the storm and stepped on one? I'm really surprised because she has been so great with the eggs. Today she only went out for a couple minutes and then was right back on the eggs. I hope all the rest hatch for her. She has been on them for 14 days now.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

BTC, I'm sorry about Tilly.

Yep, life... beginning to end... and adding quality to ours.

Thank you Joyfulkeeper. They certainly do add quality to our lives. We had grieved her loss last fall. Just a grim reminder when I actually found her this spring. I worried she had got stuck and she had been under my nose the whole time. But The way she was in there I suspect a weasel or vermin of some sort...having their little buffet for a few weeks.

Awe Bogtown.. that is so sad, but setting the eggs is a good feeling.

We lost 4 hens last month to dogs. that was a tough one, especially because 1 of them was the favorite BLRW. (of course) but the kids understand, life goes on. the little neighbor boy doesnt really get why i was so upset/angry, to him they are just chickens, so he helped my kids bury one of them... it was good for him too. we dont have a meat and egg farm. we have animals that we care for and who in turn provide for us.. its more of a respect thing that i think he needed to learn. now If I could get my retired neighbors to understand that concept and keep their dog at home... before something bad happens to it...

ANYWAY! yes they definately improve the quality of life!! I actually let my dad talk me into this because he said I needed a way to unwind. my working 50-60 hours a week and then coming home and running 4 kids here and there was taking its toll. when I went to my Dr for high blood pressure for months and one day she was going to admit me because it was dangerously high... it was a wake up call. now I go out.. give them water and scraps watch them run around.. even cleaning the coop out is helping! the kids love them, they run out and take care of them when they get home from school.. just checking water and for eggs, but it is so much better than running in the house to the TV or kindle or computer...these chicks give us so much more than meat and eggs.

Thanks Molly. It was a day of mixed emotions...but mostly good ones.

I'm glad you are teaching the neighbor boy respect and follow through after his dog attacked. Your set up and way of doing things with the chickens is exactly like ours. I have two kids pretty well involved with the chickens...checking eggs...need to work on the water carrying and food carrying...Mom does mostly that. Our girls are here for a purpose to give us eggs. A few extra roos gave us meat. But we sure find pleasure in seeing them roam the property, gracing the lawn, running to greet us when the car pulls in.

They give us a story everyday with their little "Chicken Days of our Lives" and have made us laugh almost every day.

So checked on Dixie and she had turned around in the nest box. Her behind a mess and a mess in the back corner of the nest box...I also noted one of the BLRW eggs was kicked to that far corner and pooped on. It was cold. Bummer....I have one left under Dix. Did an egg-topsy on the BLRW and it didn't have one red speck of development. These eggs seem small too...like maybe pullet eggs...IDK....I'm praying that last BLRW is fertile and developing under my girl...

 

[JDchicks]

Two of the eggs I received were cracked during shipment.

I went ahead and used liquid bandaid over the entire cracked areas.

Has anyone hatched cracked eggs before? Is there anything I need to watch for or do?

These are them as of today - day 5.

 

[BowChickaBow]

I love the video... I did the same today! I just pulled one out of the bator (9days old) and did a quick look... and that lil guys was movin and groovin!!! I was excited and day 21 cant get here fast enough...

 

[joyfulkeeper]

[COLOR=333333]Two of the eggs I received were cracked during shipment.[/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]I went ahead and used liquid bandaid over the entire cracked areas.[/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]Has anyone hatched cracked eggs before? Is there anything I need to watch for or do?[/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]These are them as of today - day 5.[/COLOR] [COLOR=333333] [/COLOR]

I remember reading about this somewhere. The 2 things that popped into my mind now are - watch to make sure the air cell is growing properly and they may need help at hatch time because the shell is to strong for them to zip open now. Best wishes for a successful hatch.

 

[popsicle]

Popsicle - I hope your hatches go well. What are genetic hackle eggs?

We just found one of our broody's eggs smashed under her.

We had really bad weather yesterday. Could she have gotten freaked out from the storm and stepped on one? I'm really surprised because she has been so great with the eggs. Today she only went out for a couple minutes and then was right back on the eggs. I hope all the rest hatch for her. She has been on them for 14 days now.

Genetic Hackle are the birds used to produce long thin hackles and saddles for fly fishing (and salons).

 

[Tuhmu]

Just found this thread now lol, I set 12 eggs on May first. Gave my broody six and put six in the bator.

 

[OR4-hmom]

So you got bitten by the hatching bug again LevyS? My phoenix bantams from the last round are getting big. What are you hatching this time?

 

[Tuhmu]

It bit me several times actually haha. I have buff laced brahmas and wheaten Americans peeping as we type. The 12 eggs my broody hen and I are sharing are lavender brahmas. And on Thursday I set 18 black copper marans and four of my own buff brahmas.