Hatching Delaware

[shortcake1806]

Ooh, I'm so excited. I can't wait until my eggs come shortcake!! The hen is grouchier than ever. She is really getting tired of me taking her eggs!

I can stick them in the mail tommorrow if you want and you'll have them Monday.​

 

[championny]

I became confused on my incubator list and had to recalculate everything. So today is day 13 and I have 9 more days to go for the Delawares! I am so exciting I can hardly wait. I am going to candle them again on the 15th to check for last minute bad eggs. I had put a few of them I wasn't sure to one side of the incubator until I could confirm if they were growing or not. The ones on the other side I had confirmed had been growing and seem to be doing just fine.

My Toulouse eggs are now at day 11 with 17 more days to go. And my last batch, the Welsummers are just at day 3. After this, I think I am done incubating for awhile. The anticipation is just too much. I am so glad I have others to share in my anxiousness with.

Now if I am correct, I stop turning them on day 18 or 19? Some say the 18th day and others say two days before. What does everyone else do that seems to work? Also, how do you increase the humidity? Do you had more water to the reservoir or should I place a sponge in there? This will be my first hatch so I am not really sure what works for everyone else.

 

[kstaven]

Most stop turning on day 18.

If you have another channel that can be filled in the incubator that will increase the humidity. If not, adding more depth to the water will not help. Humidity levels are a function of surface area. A wet sponge will likely do it for you.

 

[championny]

Thanks kstaven. I had heard that was the rule, and I wanted to be sure. It seems like they have been in the incubator forever. I know its only day 13, but I am becoming more anxious as it comes closer to day 21.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for a really good hatch. If I can at least get 6 of the 13, I would be happy.

Also, the candling thing drives me a bit crazy with the darker eggs. I thought the Delawares were a bit difficult, but the Welsummers are a pain too. Most of my eggs have gone dark inside with the air cell formed, which I am hoping means there are little ones growing in there. I didn't see any blood rings or ones that seemed to stop growing. I guess I will have to wait and see.

 

[ginbart]

Quote:
The black spots, what are they. Does that mean they are good or bad?

 

[championny]

The black spot with spider veining in the beginning means that the chick is growing. Otherwise,if it was transparent or a large dark spot when candling could mean a blood ring. Then the chick egg is no good. I forgot the site I found information on, but it was really good if you search "candling chicken eggs" on the web.

 

[championny]

I was so busy today I forgot to post my new development! I was candling today, despite the fact I keep saying I won't, but anyways, when inside one of the eggs a baby chick was moving around!

I could even see his heart beating! I candled a few more and they were moving a bit too! So far everything look good.

I was so excited. Actually, I still am. Now as I am nearing day 14 I can't wait for these little ones to hatch. I know I am going to be spending next Tuesday anxiously by the incubator waiting for them to come out. Luckily, I have my piano to practice and my baby Pekin Peepers to keep me company during that time in the garage.

Well, Peepers isn't much of a baby. He is about a month old and getting whiter each time I see him.

He doesn't want to hear it, but soon he will be joining Ula and Peking (I know its not original but my house mates thought it was fitting) in the duck house.

So with my new and improved handy chart, I will stop turning them on Saturday. Then next Tuesday is hatch day!

 

[ginbart]

Isn’t it amazing how you can see them move at 13 days. Good luck

 

[championny]

Thanks ginbart. Yes, I was amazed. I heard you could see them move and possibly a heartbeat, but I wasn't expecting that. It just goes to show how fragile life really is. After all, they are my babies.

I may not have laid them, but I sure am playing the expectant parent part. I just love chickens and these guys are special being my first attempt to incubate eggs myself.

And so the countdown begins to the 22nd, which will be day 21. 8 more days to go!I hope it goes by fast!

 

[kstaven]

Day 21 IF they hatch on schedule! Chicks can be early and a few days late.