Body Hatching

[birdymama]

Totally Crazy!

Candled again last night. Almost filling up the shells. Thought i could still see movement but it's getting hard to tell. Still have my fingers crossed

Day 13

 

[Pontata]

nicee I love the updates! In mine my quails are STILL not laying nor the egg supplier has contacted me- any way to kick start the laying process?

 

[birdymama]

I found this very interesting.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/718627/eggs-chicks-tougher-then-one-thinks-broody-had-an-off-day

Now my eggs have never gone cold before but this just intrigued me and made me feel alot safer, should that ever happen.

I wonder if it had something to do with the type/breed of egg.

We are on day 14 now. I stop turning tomorrow so i will place an X (gently) in pencil on top of the eggs so i know which way is up.

 

[birdymama]

nicee I love the updates! In mine my quails are STILL not laying nor the egg supplier has contacted me- any way to kick start the laying process?

You could try bribing them with spinach lol. Give them a smallish box to hide in. Mine like to hide when they lay. I added new birds and gave them a sand pit to dig/bathe in right before they started laying again at one point. Mine always stop for winter though.

Is it cold where you are? Have you moved anything around on them recently?

 

[Pontata]

no, I live near the equator, so it's perpetually summer all year round. The only 'cold' days are rainy days. I've never seen snow.

So they should lay, but doesn't. It's hot enough here too...

As for moving, I move em around daily to change their cage. Does that count?

 

[quailchick]

no, I live near the equator, so it's perpetually summer all year round. The only 'cold' days are rainy days. I've never seen snow.

So they should lay, but doesn't. It's hot enough here too...

As for moving, I move em around daily to change their cage. Does that count?

Maybe clean their cage every third day? I know when I clean my quails' cages, it freaks them out, the stress may be interrupting their laying or breeding.

 

[Pontata]

no eggs yet....they're 58 days old. should they be laying already??

 

[birdymama]

So I have marked my eggies with a little X in an eyeliner pencil. They look to be completely filling up the eggs now.

Last night i swear i could feel them making pop pop pop movements in the box. Kept waking me up.
I was a little worried they were going to hatch in there, but i have to keep reminding myself that this sort of 'movement' is normal.
3 more days to go!

 

[Pontata]

niceeee. Keep it up! Also may I know what is your normal body temperature?

 

[Loddie Da]

I'v been there & done that a few years ago, back before the new owner & forum for BYC (back when we were still on EZboards & CC was running the show)

Does anyone remember that thread?...it was one of the funniest ever!

The eggs (Silkies - "Boo & Bee") hatched late & didn't make it very long.

A Man also joined in with a body hatch only men can do, he also had a hatch, don't remember if they lived.

I'v done this a few times since with Quail, Ducks, a Ringneck Dove & Chickens at about a 35%-40% hatch rate & survival rates could be better.
They always hatched days late.

The secret is to try to stay at a stable temp. & keep the eggs from coming in contact with your body oils.
I stick them under my breasts, but I don't cover the whole egg just about 75% of it so the eggs can breath. At night when your body temp. drops I cover them 90%

NO quick movements AT ALL, I have killed young embryos that way, sit & stand up slowly.

In short it's fun to do & bonding but bators work a hell of a lot better!