Hi....
This is what I learnt and did via reading lots of threads here on the Backyardchickens site. And, a bit of YouTube helped me also !
I recently incubated some eggs purchased from
eBay, here in the UK.
These were Black Copper Marans, and were shipped through the mail on a next day delivery. These eggs were my first time using an incubator. (RCom)
After reading lots on this site. I did the following :
1) I put the unopened parcel in a safe place to open. Don't rush the opening process. Nothing worse than breaking them !
2) I use cardboard egg cartons, and place each egg pointed end down into each section. Leave them to settle and rest for 30hrs to 48hrs, do not move or turn them at this time. This carton should be left in a place where they will be not knocked or moved. At a location where the temperature is the same day and night. (Not by window, by heating, or where temp fluctuations will harm the eggs.) It should be in a room, and not in the fridge !
3) Shipped eggs are prone to having damaged air cells, by letting them rest pointed end down, the internal air sac raises to the top, and sorts of settles, itself. And kind of 'repairs itself' after being 'shaken' in the post. [Air always rises to the top of a vessel, which is what an egg is !]
The air sac might have ruptured, but in settling, the air rises to the top of the egg, the round end, it being the widest part, hence placed uppermost in the carton.
Settled air may be either side of the original air 'sac', this is what shows as a Saddle of 'air'. It's a bit like an upside down heart shape, inside the top of the egg, when you shine a light through the egg. This is when you use a torch, or cell light to shine through the egg, in a dark environment.
3) Detached air sacs, that can show
as saddles, if treated carefully will still hatch, so don't dispair, you might still get a chick. (*) See tips at end.
Nonetheless, shipped eggs (*) will always have more to recover from,
to those that you have from a local supply, eg your own eggs, or from a local non posted source. Non shipped is best !!!
>> Posted eggs: <<
Things to remember...
Are they fertile ? (Candle only at a later date ! Less disturbance the better )
How fresh are the eggs?
How old are the parent birds? Age and youth affect fertility.
How good is your incubator ? Or broody hen ?
What happens in the 21 days to hatch? An egg is fertile, but, mother nature doesn't always deliver a chick.
Lots of factors can arise, even if you did everything right (!)
Do you know how to remedy issues, when things need fixing ? Read, read, read, this site ! Don't let a crisis catch you out, prepare for any 'issues', so you aren't caught off guard ! [Power issues, weather, temperature, humidity, timing, setting eggs to hatch time.
that means you can be their at a 3am moment !] (Remember Work days / holidays /and other factors ! 21 days later. Are you available to deal with hatch and after care for several months to follow ?) Plan, plan, plan !?!
Hope the above helps you get the best hatch rate !
Easy Egg Incubate Tips:
1) Unpack eggs carefully.
2) They must rest...24 -30hrs, before placing in incubator or under a broody.
3) Get incubator set up and running properly Before !!!! And/or... Is your Broody really ready?
4) Set eggs to incubate so 21 days later, means chicks hatch when your about. [Set day is day "0" so, maybe set on a Friday pm, 21 days laters,
your hatches almost arrive to the same day and time, eg a Fri/Sat pm!]
Do it when your able to look after tiny birds for 6-8 weeks or so. Better to do March to August, when you know your not having a micro flock in your home !
Chicks and Duck in your in mid winter ! Not the best situation for 2-3 months, when they need a lot of looking after !
Happy hatching ....
