California - Northern

I decided to do an experiment with the first two pea eggs of the season... Both eggs were weighed the day they were laid, the day they were set under the hen and then on day 7, 14, 21 and 24. By day 24, #1 had lost 18.7% of it's just laid weight, 16% since it was set and #2 was set on the day it was laid, so it's lost 15.7%. Both eggs pipped internally on day 25 (yesterday) and today, day 26 both have pipped externally. Depending on how they hatch I will use this weight loss data when I set the next 10 in the bator.

Here are the two eggs at 6:15pm. #1 on left, #2 on right. Both eggs are out of my hen I call spot.


-Kathy

Interesting! I didn't know eggs lost weight, I would have assumed they gained it...but I guess that wouldn't be possible since you can't create more mass from nothing. At least, not in an egg shell.
 
I'm excited, after doing some more research I think I have finally decided that I'm going to get an incubator. The great thing is that if I don't like it or don't use it, I can always resell it. The one I want(the Genesis 1588 with automatic turner) is $200 including shipping, and I have $165 to my name right now...so unfortunately I need to wait until my camera lens sells! 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=171333443770
My reserve is set at $275 but last time I put it up (long story as to why it didn't end up being sent to the buyer) the winning bid was over $300, so I have high hopes. Either way I'm very excited to get an incubator, I think incubating chicks will be a really fun experience. I'm probably going to start with just some cheap Craigslist eggs. Wish I could get it right now! Just don't have the money yet.

Congrats! You will have lots of fun hatching! Hope your lens sells quick :)
 
Quote: This is where setting humidty is very important... Maybe someone more experienced can explain this? Anyway, I lost half of my pea eggs last year beccause I had the humity too high and they didn't lose enough weight. Turns out this weight loss was pretty darn close to perfect for these eggs as both pipped and zipped in less than nine hours two days early.

-Kathy
 
One of my own eggs has the air cell on the side! One did look like it tipped in the brinsea, not sure if that's it.
There is an extra calcium buildup on the shell where it's at.
Like almost completely on the side of the egg!
1 week till hatch. I should let it try, but it breaks my heart having these things get stuck at hatch and peep at me for hours. It's best not to help, but I feel so bad. I just see this one having issues.I'm assuming I wouldn't hatch this one in an egg carton.
@casportpony - love your pea babies!
@PetRock- beautiful birds!!
 
So those of you that incubate, how do you make sure you are able to find homes for all the chicks you hatch? What's your back-up plan if you can't sell them?
 

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