Best position for hatching shipped eggs?

[Bryam]

Hello!
I am on day 11 of my incubation. Out of 24 shipped silkie eggs 18 are still viable! The airsacs seem fragile, some are slightly on the side, others are wobbly others are pretty normal looking. What is recommended for the hatch?

Should I stop turning them early, like on day 16?

Should I place on the eggs on their sides for hatching?

Has anybody ever hatched silkie eggs upright, while still in the turner trays? I hear it has been done for shipped eggs.

Thanks for the hatching advice!

PS I did notice the eggs with severely displayed air cells failed to develop and thrive.

 

[sumi]

If the air cells are fragile/damaged keep the eggs upright until day 18, when you lockdown. Then you have a choice to either let them hatch upright, or lay them on their sides. Personally, if hatching them upright, I'd prefer hatching them in egg cartons with the bottoms cut out to help with air flow around the eggs. There is a small risk with the turners that the chicks may get stuck and or injure themselves. Best of luck with your hatch and please keep up posted.

 

[Bryam]

Okay! So would I be taking a big chance by letting them hatch normally? I would prefer to just lay them on their side on day 18.

Thanks!

 

[sumi]

By day 18 the air cell should be settled in the correct position and the chick would've developed to the point of filling the remainder of the egg, helping keep the cell in position. Letting the chick hatch normally, i.e. on their sides is ideal, if you can do that.

 

[Bryam]

Amazing!! Thank you!!

 

[Bryam]

So after candling on day 13, I found 2 more quitters, I am down to 16 viable eggs from 24! Do you think is still good? Maybe I will get a 50 percent hatch rate?

 

[sumi]

With shipped eggs, especially ones with damaged air cells, a 50% hatch rate is good. Shipped eggs is always tricky and the hatch rates are iffy, at best. With one batch you could be really lucky and hatch 80%, with another you could get as little as 10%.

 

[Bryam]

So things are still looking up for me then! Some have normal air cells that gave stabilized, while other have air cells that drop to the side of the egg. All the air cells that where really wobbly the chick died after developing for a couple of days! I am hoping to get a 50 percent hatch rate, if I get more then it will be a bonus!!!