Diary & Notes ~ Air Cell Detatched SHIPPED Chicken Eggs for incubation and hatching

[Ms Steak]

What exactly are you asking? If the eggs with the saddle shaped air cells are doomed because they were on their sides for the first 7 days? If so, then no. They are not doomed.

Are the air cells still loose? Or have the re-attached?

I have read on here they can`t hatch. That is why I was asking if they were doomed. The air cell is firm now. They were wobbling around like jelly at first.

Did you cut the bottoms out of the egg carton? Did you candle to make sure that the air cell is on top? Sounds like you are doing it right. Im sure others will chime in. I had a decent hatch of saddle shaped eggs the last time.

No, the cartons don`t have holes cut in them. Should I do that? I think I saw a few people said not to bother. Did you keep the eggs upright to hatch, or lie them down Doug?

 

[chicksooner]

I am reposting this as my question didn`t really get any answers. I know this thread is busy.

Hi.

Right, I am on my second try at this hatching lark, having had a terrible outcome first time around. I was so pleased that my new incubator was keeping the temps lovely and steady. I decided to do a dry hatch, but the humidity is staying around 20% so I added a little water to raise it to 28 / 30 ish. I am also trying a hands off approach. I candled the eggs on day 7, and every egg has a saddle shaped air cell! I then checked the Polish eggs I had put in 7 days later, and they are the same.

I had the first eggs lying down as there is a semi automatic turner, but I have now put them into an egg box wide side up. The Polish eggs have always been in a box as I am going to have to trust my home made incubator for a few days when the first eggs go into lockdown.

Are these eggs doomed? What can I do to ensure chicks this time. I really cannot stand the thought of another failed hatch. The older eggs are now on day 13. Help!!!!!!

Saddle shaped cells hatch just fine. Just keep them big end up. If in egg cartons make sure the bottoms are cut out so there is good air flow around the egg. The biggest thing you will need to watch is that the air cells don't get too big. Saddle shaped tend to get big and then the chick can't turn easily to hatch. there is a section in Sally's hatching 101 about monitoring air cell size and adjusting humidity accordingly. Air cell too big increase your humidity and a too small aircell you will reduce your humidity.

 

[cochins1088]

Quote:
Yes, they can hatch. It's often times more difficult for them, but I've had many chicks hatch from eggs with saddle shaped air cells.

I always lie my eggs down on their sides for hatching. Even if they're saddle shaped.

 

[Ms Steak]

Saddle shaped cells hatch just fine. Just keep them big end up. If in egg cartons make sure the bottoms are cut out so there is good air flow around the egg. The biggest thing you will need to watch is that the air cells don't get too big. Saddle shaped tend to get big and then the chick can't turn easily to hatch. there is a section in Sally's hatching 101 about monitoring air cell size and adjusting humidity accordingly. Air cell too big increase your humidity and a too small aircell you will reduce your humidity.

I am watching the size, and they do seem big. I increased the humidity to 30%. I will have to put it higher.

Yes, they can hatch. It's often times more difficult for them, but I've had many chicks hatch from eggs with saddle shaped air cells.

I always lie my eggs down on their sides for hatching. Even if they're saddle shaped.

How do you lie them cochins? Do you have the dip at the side, bottom or top? I want to give them every chance I can after getting no live chicks first time around, and their cells were perfect.

 

[cochins1088]

Quote:
It can sometimes be difficult to figure out which direction the air cell is dipping with saddle shaped air cells, but you should always try to keep the dipped end facing upwards. This is the optimal position for hatching. If you were to lie the egg on a flat surface, naturally the egg should always roll so that the dipped end facing up.

Next time you try hatching shipped eggs, monitoring weight loss by weighing the eggs. It's much more accurate. Can you post pictures of the air cell sizes?

 

[cochins1088]

Wait. Do you mean the dipped side currently? Or the dip that happens as the embryos position themselves for the hatch?

 

[Ms Steak]

Wait. Do you mean the dipped side currently? Or the dip that happens as the embryos position themselves for the hatch?

I mean the side that is dipped at lockdown. So the most blank part above the membrane.

I am weighing the eggs. The weight loss is minimal. In a 68g egg it was 65g on day 7.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

I just wanted to state for the record again that my bators are empty and stored...of course I have 2 broodies at almost 10 days so I am sure I will be plugging one or both in for their hatches. My 2 non broodies in that coop have continued to lay eggs for them until I put a stop to it the other day. I don't know how many eggs they have. Going to be a very staggered hatch.

By the way, you cant wait until the evening to check this thread anymore.

Sally is back.

Sally & gardeningmama I wii try that. I ordered my eggs before finding this thread, I wish I hadn't. The order is being held up because of the silkies I ordered, maybe I can call & cancel... Thank you!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

I am reposting this as my question didn`t really get any answers. I know this thread is busy.

Hi.

Right, I am on my second try at this hatching lark, having had a terrible outcome first time around. I was so pleased that my new incubator was keeping the temps lovely and steady. I decided to do a dry hatch, but the humidity is staying around 20% so I added a little water to raise it to 28 / 30 ish. I am also trying a hands off approach. I candled the eggs on day 7, and every egg has a saddle shaped air cell! I then checked the Polish eggs I had put in 7 days later, and they are the same.

I had the first eggs lying down as there is a semi automatic turner, but I have now put them into an egg box wide side up. The Polish eggs have always been in a box as I am going to have to trust my home made incubator for a few days when the first eggs go into lockdown.

Are these eggs doomed? What can I do to ensure chicks this time. I really cannot stand the thought of another failed hatch. The older eggs are now on day 13. Help!!!!!!

I think everyone has you covered, but see the image below and how to lay the eggs for hatching.


Candle day 18 is to determine growth, weigh, pencil mark air cell size and dispose bad eggs. It will look pretty dark and FULL in there! You may or may not see movement on this candle. Its ok if not, don’t panic! The chick may easily be resting! See how that air cell is beginning to dip more to one side and if you lay the egg down it will roll into the hatching position. I set my eggs with lowest dip in the aircell up. This position for hatching is good so the chick is able to turn into position and I can easily see my pips too! Day 18 laying horizontal for actual hatching helps a chick hatch 1-2 hours earlier. I lay my eggs down LOWEST DIP of the AIRCELL UP! This is the normal and most likely hatching position and the chick will break through or Internally pip and externally pip in that probable area. See the image below with the x, x being lowest dip in air cell and probably pip area/s.
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[mstricer]

Hey Sally glad you are back.......

Thanks everyone. I ordered 24 eggs from My Pet Chicken over a month ago. They hopefully ship this week, should I cancel it until I figure out if it was local or not? I don't want to lose anymore & this next batch cost me over $100.

I wouldn't buy those eggs either. Eggs from a hatchery are sometimes 7 days old when they collect. Like Sally said find a breeder locally.

Wanted to share, here are my two d'Uccle's who decided to share a clutch. So now I know my splash is throwing solid black d'uccles YAY