Egg selection for hatching

[Rietta]

I have been reading in forums and articles and have not crossed the answers to my questions.
I am wanting to know what shell qualities are best and worst for hatching. I have an a Lavender Ameraucana hen who lays beautiful blue eggs, but the big end of the shells are consistently rough feeling and the coloring tends to be a bit darker there as well. Are these bad for hatching? She has been laying since thanksgiving 2018 and she is in a mixed flock with a Lavender Ameraucana rooster. When we crack them for eating they look fertile. I would probably set at the end of February to hatch in march. is this too soon for a new layer? Any advise would be so much appreciated. Thanks I also have Easter eggers who lay light green eggs, in the same flock I may hatch from as well.

 

[sourland]

By February she will have been laying around 3 months. The eggs should be large enough for incubation.

 

[Ms Biddy]

I don't think rough shells at the ends of the egg would affect hatching. The chicks pip along the side. Do candle them and make sure they aren't too porous or thin. Porous eggs are more susceptible to bacteria. Also, the growing embryo draws calcium from the shell during development and thin shelled eggs only become more fragile during this process. Avoid body checked eggs because they often have cracks and thickened areas that might be difficult to pip.

 

[Rietta]

Thanks for the info, I will check for thin shells for sure. Still trying to decide if hatching is what I want to do this year or if purchasing day old chicks would be more wise. I may even wait until august for chicks, it works out here in Texas. I am worried I have stretched myself a bit thin and am trying to keep up. We added a very energetic 9 week old puppy to the family. And I have a Graduation to plan.

 

[chickens really]

If you provide oyster shell the eggs will get stronger.
I can't see your eggs..
I just hatch any eggs.....If good they hatch.

 

[Rietta]

If you provide oyster shell the eggs will get stronger.
I can't see your eggs..
I just hatch any eggs.....If good they hatch.

I have always provided oyster shell, its strange cause some eggs look like too much calcium and some eggs look like not enough. I don't have an upclose photo of my eggs right now, but I can get one soon, this is what I do have.....

 

[chickens really]

I have always provided oyster shell, its strange cause some eggs look like too much calcium and some eggs look like not enough. I don't have an upclose photo of my eggs right now, but I can get one soon, this is what I do have.....View attachment 1664245

I also do not wash my eggs I'm going to hatch..your eggs look good..

 

[Chickassan]

All hens process calcium a little differently, the bumps and roughness are just a visible clue to this fact.
Don't hatch weird eggs. Too big or too small, very thin shells or wrinkly are a no go.
You CAN hatch very oblong or very round eggs just take careful note of which end the air sac is on they can be tricky! Bumps or roughed shelled are just fine.

I have always provided oyster shell, its strange cause some eggs look like too much calcium and some eggs look like not enough. I don't have an upclose photo of my eggs right now, but I can get one soon, this is what I do have.....View attachment 1664245

 

[PouleChick]

Good question! I'd never thought about it when buying hatching eggs but this year will be putting our own eggs under my silkies! Your eggs are gorgeous colours!

 

[chickens really]

Good question! I'd never thought about it when buying hatching eggs but this year will be putting our own eggs under my silkies! Your eggs are gorgeous colours!

I have a Silkie Hen due Thursday but I think something is going on under her since yesterday. She sits on her head looking under herself..Not my first Broody hatch..