Day 14

[speckledhen]

Well, that's how we all start, Deniece, bits of information gathered and compiled and soon you will definitely be the go-to girl in your area!

 

[LoneCowboy]

Ok, I candled day 14 I culled another egg being careful to use a knife, and I might have hit it to hard, but the insides were also scrambled.

I'm very discouraged, I candled with a realistic eye, and I'm afraid that the only egg that has a chance is #5 it has a huge black area, which I believe it should have for day 14. On the other hand the others have small dark areas and I can't see how any of them can catch up even if they were still alive. I'm very discouraged.

.

I've had very good temps, ranging from 99.1 (on rare occassion) to 99.7. Humidity has been between 38 and 43%. I have a 1/2 vent open on the top and bottom the whole time.

Even if I get one, which I will be thrilled about, it will be a lonely chicky all by itself.

I can figure on bad eggs, which I wouldn't doubt, but how do I get some good eggs that I can feel good about?

Lucky for me, it's my monthy migraine day too.

 

[silkiechicken]

Gotta pick up eggs locally and try those first. Good luck! Sounds like there were pre scrambled. To crack eggs without breaking yolks, you can always crack them into a bowl with water in it.

 

[speckledhen]

Sorry about your migraine! I know how that feels. Sounds like your values have been very good. There are so, so many factors with this venture, including shipping, of course, and the health of the breeders the eggs came from. I know now, through a series of circumstances, that my Lt Brahma's eggs, although fertilized, will never develop. I've done trials over and over, after a few people never had them develop and I got suspicious. My Buff Brahma girl's are popping out all over the country and none of them have ever been ill, so I had to conclude that it was a genetic thing with Miranda. BUT, now I know.
But, herechickchick just candled about a dozen Ameraucana eggs I shipped to him and every single one is growing, so good breeder health, eggshell quality, good packaging and kindness of the P.O. all come together in this shaky venture. THEN, there's the actual incubation for 21 days after all that. Hard to say sometimes what happened.

 

[seminolewind]

Lonecowboy, in your iffy eggs, is there at least veins leading to a dark area?

 

[LoneCowboy]

I've not been able to see veins in any of my eggs. Don't have a good enough candler I guess. I'm still really bummed. Trying to figure out where to get more eggs and how to test my thermometer and everything. I really think I did everything right. Of course I had to hand turn them maybe that wasn't good.

Of course these were iffy to start with. Shipped over Thanksgiving. Wild boar tried to get into the coop and scared the chickens so they stopped laying for a while. I don't know. I really want this to work. DH will be really upset with the amount of money I spent for nothing.

Oh well, I knew this was just a test, but I think silkie is right, I need local eggs and I don't know where to get any.

 

[ksacres]

I don't have any right now! But in the spring I could get you some if you just want to try your luck. I'm close to Cheyenne, so not ALL that far from Longmont. Have you tried your own eggs? What kind are you looking for?

 

[LoneCowboy]

I don't have a roo right now. I'm kinda hoping the one in the bator that might hatch is a roo. RIR would go good with my red stars I think.

I'm mostly looking for pure bred standard layers. Easier to get rid of the roos that way. I found some Cuckoo Maran's eggs on Craigslist. I think it's the same guy I got my girls from. He's really close so I might see if I can get a few of those.

 

[ksacres]

Ok, I only have bantams so I couldn't have been of help anyway! I have silkies and bantam EE's. And a few other bantam breeds that are just itty bitty babies right now. LOL.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Thanks anyway, I appreciate the offer.