Arkansas Blue egg layers

[ronott1]

I have also noticed a bad hatch rate. I got 4 out of 22 from shipped eggs. And one of those has an eye problem and probably will have to be culled.

I hatched them twice--shipped from Arkansas to California--with not problem.

missing eyes are not shipping or incubation related. That is from mutagenics or bad genetics. One of the Wormers, Wazine I think, causes defects like missing eyes.

This year I have hatched UofA Blues 6 times and have had no problems other than a couple that just did not thrive. The last hatch was 35 out of 40.

So I would suspect that there is something going on with the Breeder. I have a guess so if you want to talk more, send me a PM.

 

[1muttsfan]

I don't think my hatch rate was unusual at all for shipped eggs - several had detached air cells, which indicates rough handling. I was quite happy to get 3, actually. They all seem healthy.

 

[Manningjw]

Well I just candled the 12 eggs I put in the incubator 3 days ago. Only two show anything that looks like it could be development and one of those is cracked so highly unlikely it will make it anywhere.

Most of mine arrived with detached air cells and even split air cells. I let them set 24 hours hoping the air cell might stabilize again before incubating but I don't think i was successful. Out of my last hatch of my own eggs from a mixed flock I had 18/20 eggs hatch and thrive. Two eggs that didn't make it were over 2 weeks old and refrigerated prior to incubating but make it all the way to lock-down.

At day 10 I will candle again and see what of anything is happening inside. If not, I will probably hit up someone here for eggs next April.

 

[ronott1]

Well I just candled the 12 eggs I put in the incubator 3 days ago. Only two show anything that looks like it could be development and one of those is cracked so highly unlikely it will make it anywhere.

Most of mine arrived with detached air cells and even split air cells. I let them set 24 hours hoping the air cell might stabilize again before incubating but I don't think i was successful. Out of my last hatch of my own eggs from a mixed flock I had 18/20 eggs hatch and thrive. Two eggs that didn't make it were over 2 weeks old and refrigerated prior to incubating but make it all the way to lock-down.

At day 10 I will candle again and see what of anything is happening inside. If not, I will probably hit up someone here for eggs next April.

@ three days?

The veins barely start by three days. The first candle for air cell size is day 7. Do you watch air cell development?

This is what you can expect to see by day.

 

[Manningjw]

@ three days?

The veins barely start by three days. The first candle for air cell size is day 7. Do you watch air cell development?

This is what you can expect to see by day.

Well, ill keep on hoping to see something in a week. I was really hoping to get 1 splash or blue chick of either gender out of this hatch.

 

[ronott1]

Well, ill keep on hoping to see something in a week. I was really hoping to get 1 splash or blue chick of either gender out of this hatch.

Check back in with us on day 10 and let us know!

 

[1muttsfan]

I agree with Ron, hopefully at Day 10 you will see more

 

[Manningjw]

Yep that is my usual time frame of candling - I just am used to seeing something instead of all clear. Really crossing fingers cause I would love to have this breed, been stalking the thread far too long.

 

[Manningjw]

Well, I candled again today and only 1 egg is showing blood vessels. 2 or more eggs appear cloudy and have small cracks, I will take them out next time I candle along with the rest that look clear. I never want to pull an egg out too soon but the prospect of a chicken egg bomb killing off the one and only egg that still appears viable isn't too appealing either. Crossing fingers and toes that this little guy makes it but not holding my breath...

 

[1muttsfan]

Sorry to hear that, hatching shipped eggs can be so discouraging.