Flock/Life Journey's 2019

[Ladybird CA]

Washing can introduce bacteria because it can remove the protective layer on the egg.

A person in this thread says she doesn’t set dirty eggs:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/washing-hatching-eggs.1210930/

I once had a dirty egg with about a dozen eggs that looked clean. None of the clean eggs hatched but the dirty one did. My guess is the dirty one might’ve contaminated the other eggs but I don’t know if those ones were cleaned by the seller. My guess is no or they would’ve cleaned the dirty one too.

As for the egg that looks older have you tried candling it to see if it has an embryo? I’ve done staggered/hatches of different stages and they worked out ok.

 

[rjohns39]

Morning / Evening folks

Mystic, conventional wisdom from many of my friends with way more experience than I say to Wash prior to incubation if you're going to use a bator and always wash with water at least 20* warmer than the egg. Never wash if you're going to use a hen to hatch. They also say not to try anything older than 10 days.

Once they've been in the bator I wouldn't wash. Water on eggs in the bator has a chilling effect that you don't want. So if you've already started them, leave them would be my advice. That said, I don't wash prior to incubation as I trust the plume. I also avoid really dirty eggs. I have friends who have successfully hatched older eggs so I'm giving that a try now as well.

My older eggs aren't doing well, most started development but have started to rot. The other eggs are doing fine. Tomorrow I'll put mine in lock down and anything without an air cell will go to compost. The rest will get a shot. As of three days ago, I had 112 viable and 76 with small or no air cell. I'll know more after I candle tomorrow.

As for an early hatcher, in your setup not an issue. My setup is different as the shelves turn and I've lost early arrivals to the turning mechanism. I've also opened the door to put eggs in lock down just to be met by chicks wanting out. I know I've contradicted myself here, but I'm pretty certain there are no hard and fast "right" answers.

 

[ronott1]

Morning / Evening folks

Mystic, conventional wisdom from many of my friends with way more experience than I say to Wash prior to incubation if you're going to use a bator and always wash with water at least 20* warmer than the egg. Never wash if you're going to use a hen to hatch. They also say not to try anything older than 10 days.

Once they've been in the bator I wouldn't wash. Water on eggs in the bator has a chilling effect that you don't want. So if you've already started them, leave them would be my advice. That said, I don't wash prior to incubation as I trust the plume. I also avoid really dirty eggs. I have friends who have successfully hatched older eggs so I'm giving that a try now as well.

My older eggs aren't doing well, most started development but have started to rot. The other eggs are doing fine. Tomorrow I'll put mine in lock down and anything without an air cell will go to compost. The rest will get a shot. As of three days ago, I had 112 viable and 76 with small or no air cell. I'll know more after I candle tomorrow.

As for an early hatcher, in your setup not an issue. My setup is different as the shelves turn and I've lost early arrivals to the turning mechanism. I've also opened the door to put eggs in lock down just to be met by chicks wanting out. I know I've contradicted myself here, but I'm pretty certain there are no hard and fast "right" answers.

Good Answers Bob!

I normally wash shipped eggs. You never know what comes on them from the breeder.

A weak bleach solution at about 85F is perfect

 

[FlockQueen]

Aawww, so very sorry! She is beautiful ... to you...

Thank you!

 

[FlockQueen]

I'm sorry. Always hard to lose a companion.

Sure is..thank you

 

[FlockQueen]

I'm sooooo sorry for your loss I still haven't gotten over losing my avatar

Thanks! She was such a sweet heart

 

[FlockQueen]

Some cuteness to balance out my bad morning yesterday. Cooked out and watched fireworks with my nieces and nephews last night. Hope everyone has a good fourth.

 

[WhoDatChick]

Some cuteness to balance out my bad morning yesterday. Cooked out and watched fireworks with my nieces and nephews last night. Hope everyone has a good fourth.
View attachment 1835653 View attachment 1835664

Aaawww, that IS so cute

 

[FlockQueen]

Some more pics from today. Off to swim in the cold springs!

 

[FlockQueen]

Morning / Evening folks

Mystic, conventional wisdom from many of my friends with way more experience than I say to Wash prior to incubation if you're going to use a bator and always wash with water at least 20* warmer than the egg. Never wash if you're going to use a hen to hatch. They also say not to try anything older than 10 days.

Once they've been in the bator I wouldn't wash. Water on eggs in the bator has a chilling effect that you don't want. So if you've already started them, leave them would be my advice. That said, I don't wash prior to incubation as I trust the plume. I also avoid really dirty eggs. I have friends who have successfully hatched older eggs so I'm giving that a try now as well.

My older eggs aren't doing well, most started development but have started to rot. The other eggs are doing fine. Tomorrow I'll put mine in lock down and anything without an air cell will go to compost. The rest will get a shot. As of three days ago, I had 112 viable and 76 with small or no air cell. I'll know more after I candle tomorrow.

As for an early hatcher, in your setup not an issue. My setup is different as the shelves turn and I've lost early arrivals to the turning mechanism. I've also opened the door to put eggs in lock down just to be met by chicks wanting out. I know I've contradicted myself here, but I'm pretty certain there are no hard and fast "right" answers.