I am in a zip code that the post office will not ship eggs or chicks right now, Virulent Newcastle in Southern Ca... I have always kept a closed flock, no adult birds, no other chicken keepers allowed in the chicken area. Since the outbreak I wear shoe covers to the feed store and have 0 concerns about my flock getting infected. The closest case is about 14 miles from me as a bird flies. That being said I did not want to get local eggs to hatch because because there is a small chance of infection through the eggs. So I went to TJ's last night and had them look in the back for fresher fertilized eggs, they brought out a dozen that were 5 days old according to Julian date. Of the 12 5 were cracked or broken, all on the bottoms so they did not show the damage when I opened the carton. 1 of the 7 left had a hairline crack and I set it anyways. Note to self next time get two dozen... So they are in the magic fly at 38 C with water on the bottom of pan. The magic fly does not show the humidity I am just going to keep the water topped off. Set it and (try) to forget it. I will candle at about 4 days. Tonight I am going to Winco and if they have fertilized eggs I will grab a dozen and take out the one with the hairline crack and fill up the bator, it will only hold nine but I would like to max out my chances here. Wish me luck and please jump in and comment as this unfolds! That's all for now.
Gary
Gary
I am worried about the other two, I will candle them if nothing happens with them once little Joey gets out of her shell (hopefully she is a she) and dries off. I really hope all three make it but idk. I am not in a position to get Joey a friend, I am in a quarantine area. Nervous first time hatcher here.
