February Hatch-A-Long

[BenlynFarm]

3 chicks out so far! 8 pips and 8 more to go! Most of these will likely be crossed breeds but a few could be pure breed! The one on the left is pure breed Dominique. The one on the right is very pretty and I’m puzzled at what the cross might be!

 

[LadiesAndJane]

So the shipped bearded silkie eggs arrived. I bought these to bring unrelated blood lines to my small flock. Well packed but were 4 days on the way. Breeder gave a few extra, so I have 10. I did a quick candle and looks like all have either detached or loose air cells. They will sit over night and then I will put them in the incubator upright in cartons. Reading up, since it has been a while, on how long they should sit udisturbed before turning. I see arguments for both the 2, 3, 5 and 7 days of not turning. I have tried several different methods. Last time I tried to hatch shipped eggs, NONE hatched. These were older eggs, dirty and all had detached or jiggly aircells. I did the 7 day no touch method that time. Another time 14/16 hatched. After reading many threads on others' experience, I think I will go ahead and gently turn them from side to side a few times a day from the get go.

 

[PDXJULES]

we’re on the same schedule. Set mine late Thursday the 28th.

That's when all heaven broke loose for us! 6 pips - who hatched Friday and more Pips and hatches today. 8 are out, 1 having a long slow zip, 1 original Pipper may have expired, another Pip will hopefully hatch by morning. Hope 2 do - before more pips as we wanna get the 8 out of there. No action from our Isbars, except one crack observed earlier - and seems to have rolled on it's side and yellow gunk oozing out. I assume that Chick has expired. Monday we thought 11 were possibly viable and 8 hatched before end of day 21. 2 more still look possible. Happy here, and will candle the last when we can. I ordered 12 eggs that were collected in freezing temps and shipped from 2 states away. Pleased with our 8, and more may well hatch! Varied breeds and beauty factor is satisfying too. Pleased with Foxfire (N Idaho) and their egg care suggestions.

 

[PDXJULES]

So the shipped bearded silkie eggs arrived. I bought these to bring unrelated blood lines to my small flock. Well packed but were 4 days on the way. Breeder gave a few extra, so I have 10. I did a quick candle and looks like all have either detached or loose air cells. They will sit over night and then I will put them in the incubator upright in cartons. Reading up, since it has been a while, on how long they should sit udisturbed before turning. I see arguments for both the 2, 3, 5 and 7 days of not turning. I have tried several different methods. Last time I tried to hatch shipped eggs, NONE hatched. These were older eggs, dirty and all had detached or jiggly aircells. I did the 7 day no touch method that time. Another time 14/16 hatched. After reading many threads on others' experience, I think I will go ahead and gently turn them from side to side a few times a day from the get go.

I used gentle tipping/tilting even while resting. over 50 percent hatch rate so far, and today is day 21 - so a few more might make it.

 

[PDXJULES]

Just have to say, I want Hedemoras SO BAD! So jealous seeing this cutie here. I tried to get some this year but shipped from across Canada in these temps it was detached air cells and no development :'(

Also to add locked down my second batch today. Found one with an interesting air pocket in it. Could the chick just be getting into position ?!

Newbie here...but is that already internally pipped?

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I used gentle tipping/tilting even while resting. over 50 percent hatch rate so far, and today is day 21 - so a few more might make it.

Thanks! I have tried different methods. Some of these eggs look a bit older (larger air cells) so I may put them in the incubator sooner, as time is not on my side. They were actually well packed, but not double boxed, though I did ask them to do so. Hope to get a few out of them anyway! 50% would be great.
Seems to be more arguments out there against waiting to turn them, then turning them after several days. I agree gentle hand turning may be the way to go. We will see!

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Newbie here...but is that already internally pipped?

That's what I thought when I saw it, too.

 

[JaeG]

So the shipped bearded silkie eggs arrived. I bought these to bring unrelated blood lines to my small flock. Well packed but were 4 days on the way. Breeder gave a few extra, so I have 10. I did a quick candle and looks like all have either detached or loose air cells. They will sit over night and then I will put them in the incubator upright in cartons. Reading up, since it has been a while, on how long they should sit udisturbed before turning. I see arguments for both the 2, 3, 5 and 7 days of not turning. I have tried several different methods. Last time I tried to hatch shipped eggs, NONE hatched. These were older eggs, dirty and all had detached or jiggly aircells. I did the 7 day no touch method that time. Another time 14/16 hatched. After reading many threads on others' experience, I think I will go ahead and gently turn them from side to side a few times a day from the get go.

That's what I do as I read an article someone posted about how essential turning in the first week is to the development of the extra-embryonic membranes.

Here's the article if you haven't come across it:
https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/the-biology-behind-egg-turning

I've had eggs from the same seller twice. The first time only a few eggs hatched. The next time I tried most of the eggs hatched, so it's all about the journey they've had between the seller and you.

for cute silkie babies.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

That's what I do as I read an article someone posted about how essential turning in the first week is to the development of the extra-embryonic membranes.

Here's the article if you haven't come across it:
https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/the-biology-behind-egg-turning

I've had eggs from the same seller twice. The first time only a few eggs hatched. The next time I tried most of the eggs hatched, so it's all about the journey they've had between the seller and you.

for cute silkie babies.

Thank you!
I did read that article and many others as well. Goes against the 7 day school of thought, but after I have tried that one already without success, I will be turning these littles from tomorrow.
I will post photos of the cuties that make it!

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I got a question for you @JaeG: I normally dry incubate as my ambient humidity is normally high. The other eggs I have brewing right now are running between 25-35% and doing great. I was reading about humidity with detached/wonky aircells and some say lower is better, and some say higher is better. These are also bantams (but so are the ones I have in the incubator already). What have you experienced? Thanks!