Okay, here are my final numbers. I've officially shut down the incubator and eggtopsied those that did not hatch.
Started with:
12 bantam mottled cochin
15 wheaton Marans
Knew I was in trouble right away with the cochins as I candled them the night they arrived and had lots with displaced air cells fromshipping
Day 8:
6 cochins clear, including all the ones with displaced air cells. No development in any of them. Did not crack them open to see if fertile. Threw them out
2 cochins with very distinct blood rings. Threw them out
The Marans eggs were VERY dark and couldn't see a darned thing in them, so I left them all in
Day 18:
3 Marans obviously rotten. Threw them out.
1 cochin looked like it had quit about half way through, but I left it in just in case.
Hatched:
2 cochins pipped day 19. One hatched 24 hours later on day 20 and one hatched 36 hours later (with help) on day 21
2 Marans pipped and hatched quickly on day 21
1 more Maran hatched day 23 with help
Eggtopsied:
Remaining cochin was a quitter about 1/2 way through as suspected
7 Marans were infertile, one rotten
1 Marans had a neary fully developed chick, was not shrink wrapped, just didn't pip. Don't know why. Head was not even up near air cell, was about 1/2 way down the egg
1 Marans was shrink wrapped, did not look quite fully developed.
So all in all, I hatched 5 of 7 of the viable eggs, which is not bad. I love my 5 chicks DEARLY. All are doing terrific, even the ones I helped. But still disappointing to start with 27 eggs and end up with 5 chicks. I had no incubation problems. Temp and humidity were right on target throughout.
I will take a break for a few months as I have travel plans and can't be here to watch and incubator or take care of chicks. But in the fall some of my other hens will be laying. I will try again then with my own eggs.
