Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Oh no! I am saddened to hear this, wonder if a weasel or mink was to blame.

Weasel was my first thought.

 

[BY Bob]

I Heard I was in Town

The eggs have arrived at Harrisburg. They are at the Post Office for distribution and should be delivered today. I know i need them to settle but what are the guidelines for when they are ready for the girls to have? Anyone who has done this before please advise. Bear in mind I have also never candled an egg.

 

[BY Bob]

Broody Break Time
Glynda is up and about. She is a bit of a mess as one of her eggs broke but she is snacking and drinking.

 

[Ponypoor]

They need 24-48 hours to settle (some candle them to check air sac location) before getting set...although, I don't know if that holds true for going under a broody. Plus 21 days.....

I have read where one person here in BYC doesn’t ‘rest’ them, but places them in the incubator but doesn’t use the egg tilter for the first 24hrs.

Not sure how that would be under a hen…?

 

[rural mouse]

I Heard I was in Town

The eggs have arrived at Harrisburg. They are at the Post Office for distribution and should be delivered today. I know i need them to settle but what are the guidelines for when they are ready for the girls to have? Anyone who has done this before please advise. Bear in mind I have also never candled an egg.

Candling an egg: Room without windows (or VERY dim), turn on led flashlight (or flashlight on cell phone). Set egg on light (obviously hold the egg). It will glow. Go practice with the ladies eggs. Airsac is usually at the FAT end of the egg (it's why it's better to store them pointy end down). There's usually a line running across where the airsac is.

 

[rural mouse]

I have read where one person here in BYC doesn’t ‘rest’ them, but places them in the incubator but doesn’t use the egg tilter for the first 24hrs.

Not sure how that would be under a hen…?

Broodies turn the eggs on instinct, so makes sense to rest them before turning starts. However, I've never done shipped eggs, only ones I've picked up. @RebeccaBoyd is the true expert here on planting eggs under broodies

 

[Ponypoor]

Broodies turn the eggs on instinct, so makes sense to rest them before turning starts. However, I've never done shipped eggs, only ones I've picked up. @RebeccaBoyd is the true expert here on planting eggs under broodies

I just msged her. Didn’t hear from her yesterday hope all is ok with her and her mum, they are still going through Grandmas place .

 

[Ponypoor]

Broody Break Time
Glynda is up and about. She is a bit of a mess as one of her eggs broke but she is snacking and drinking.

Well she sure looks good! Even with her sporty yellow ‘tattoo’

I am interested in this resting eggs and checking air cell business - time for a knowledge break here

 

[knoturavggrl]

That was my next question. How long do I need to let them settle before I give them to the girls? And what am I looking for with the air sac? I am totally new to this. Any help from anyone who has done this will be appreciated. @RebeccaBoyd has anyone else done this?

I have done this, but I incubated them myself until about a week before hatch day.
Shipped eggs really do take a beating in shipping no matter how hard the shipper tries to protect them. A 30-40% hatch rate is considered excellent for shipped eggs. I am glad you got a few more than you wanted.

General consensus for all shipped eggs is to let them rest pointy side down for 24-48 hrs, so that the air cell can settle.

Since you are putting them directly under a broody, I would remove all other eggs fake and real and then mark the shipped eggs before popping them under LF and Glynda.

Broody Break Time
Glynda is up and about. She is a bit of a mess as one of her eggs broke but she is snacking and drinking.

I am glad she is up and about! Brownie was so reluctant to do so and I had to haul her off the nest every so often

 

[LhickenChicken]

Candling an egg: Room without windows (or VERY dim), turn on led flashlight (or flashlight on cell phone). Set egg on light (obviously hold the egg). It will glow. Go practice with the ladies eggs. Airsac is usually at the FAT end of the egg (it's why it's better to store them pointy end down). There's usually a line running across where the airsac is.

It's also usually lighter and you can see better through the air sac.