Hatching Eggs / Paypal CHAT Thread

[Lilwanis]

Didn't mean to quote the entire thing lol! Ah, well.

Redbrush - do you happen to have one of those rice or buckwheat neck/back packs that can be reheated? They retain heat for quite a while. We don't have a microwave any longer (switched to a toaster oven), so I can't use mine. I need to find an alternative.

Would the dryer work for that? In a tightly knotted pillow case to avoid rice all over the dryer...just a random thought, lol

 

[mzstre]

Would the dryer work for that? In a tightly knotted pillow case to avoid rice all over the dryer...just a random thought, lol

You know, it really might work. I'm going to give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[mzstre]

So...I am totally and utterly confused about shipping live birds. I am preparing to ship a couple of juveniles, and I want to be sure I do everything right, so I contacted my local post office to get any restrictions. I know it's been mentioned that I need to steer clear of dry ice shipments and that there are some zip codes that are not accepting lives. My post office had our regional "Business Solutions Specialist" contact me. I gave her a list of questions and also told her I need a way to determine if there will be a problem with a specific route because of dry ice. I asked for a list of zips that do not accept lives. She has been researching this for several days, and this is the response I just received...


"....there are no zip codes that should not accept live birds. Now, some post offices may not be able to guarantee a 1-2 delivery to certain destinations, but as far as accepting them once they get there, this should not be a problem.

Also, since you're printing and paying all your postage online, it is not going to be a problem for you to drop them off at the Bluebonnet office. That's going to be the most direct route for the birds. The Baton Rouge postmaster and the plant manager have both said this is fine. The manager recommends that you try getting them shipped on either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, just so you're not running into the weekend. Thursdays should be fine too. Also, you can drop them anytime before 6pm, however, the earlier the better.

And just to reassure you on the safety of the birds, again, dry ice usage is heavily regulated and only minimal amounts are allowed. On the plane, the birds will be stored in an area near the pilot, so the temperature will be regulated and the area will be pressurized.

If you have anymore questions, please let me know! ​

Lacey S-----
Business Solutions Specialist
United States Postal Service"​

So the good news is they are going to allow me to drop off lives directly at the sort facility to decrease the number of transits. The bad news is that the rest of it conflicts with the experiences of many of you. Who should I be contacting at the USPS to get accurate information?

 

[Hurley]

Well, my Muscovies never did pip. I watched them after internal pip for 2 days, candled and saw good activity in most misted and left them another day. Yesterday still nothing, and I worried a couple were no longer moving, so went ahead and put 2 mm pips in the ones with internal pips, left the 3 without sign of internal pipping. Tonight (day 4 from first internal pipping) I opened the ones I noted to previously look like they died and without internal pips, opened and found 2 dead with internal pips, 2 dead and vessels looking dark. Also opened the one egg that looked like it quit just before lockdown, case confirmed. That left me with 5 eggs. Candling tonight showed good movement in 2, 2 without internal pips obvious, but movement noted yesterday, and one without movement but a beak visible. Worried that my babies were all dying in the egg, I figured I had to at least try with these ones or at least see what stage they were at. The two with internal pips I widened the holes, vessels look like they are beginning to receed, made enough of a hole that I can monitor them, misted the membranes and put them back. The two without pips I opened the air cells, found nice moist membranes, good vessels, but no palpable or visible beaks, just a leg and shoulder. Both had the head down in the small end, but were still alive. I gently worked through the membrane between vessels until I could insert a blunt probe under the neck and draw the head up and through the membrane for both. They are now resting with heads out but the otherwise still within the egg. Looks like they have a little yolk left to absorb. The one without movement but beak visible had mildly tacky membranes. Didn't see much movement, but did get one little movement when I poked at it. Moistened the membranes, minimal vessels could be seen, seemed mature, freed the membrane around the head and broke out the shell along the margin of the air sac and put him back. Misted the box and got the temps back up to 98. Over the next hour this last one began peeping, moving, and kicked himself free, no yolk, stool noted in shell, looks pretty normal. Hopefully he makes it. The other 4 are beginning to peep (for the first time), are making little duck motions with their bills and looking more normal. I think the O2 agrees with them. The two head down ones are breathing and resting with their heads out, now.

Well, anyway, that's my experience with them so far. I tried really hard not to intervene and I know they take time, but they looked like they were fading away on me. I think I made the right choice. Time will tell, I guess. I have no doubt that at least 3 of these 5 would never have survived, and suspect they all would have perished. Wish I knew why they did so well right up until that time, then just didn't pip.

Sorry for the rambling, just hoping some of them make it. I'm hopeful for these last 5.

 

[mzstre]

Well, my Muscovies never did pip.  I watched them after internal pip for 2 days, candled and saw good activity in most misted and left them another day.  Yesterday still nothing, and I worried a couple were no longer moving, so went ahead and put 2 mm pips in the ones with internal pips, left the 3 without sign of internal pipping.  Tonight (day 4 from first internal pipping) I opened the ones I noted to previously look like they died and without internal pips, opened and found 2 dead with internal pips, 2 dead and vessels looking dark.  Also opened the one egg that looked like it quit just before lockdown, case confirmed.  That left me with 5 eggs.  Candling tonight showed good movement in 2, 2 without internal pips obvious, but movement noted yesterday, and one without movement but a beak visible.  Worried that my babies were all dying in the egg, I figured I had to at least try with these ones or at least see what stage they were at.  The two with internal pips I widened the holes, vessels look like they are beginning to receed, made enough of a hole that I can monitor them, misted the membranes and put them back.  The two without pips I opened the air cells, found nice moist membranes, good vessels, but no palpable or visible beaks, just a leg and shoulder.  Both had the head down in the small end, but were still alive.  I gently worked through the membrane between vessels until I could insert a blunt probe under the neck and draw the head up and through the membrane for both.  They are now resting with heads out but the otherwise still within the egg.  Looks like they have a little yolk left to absorb.  The one without movement but beak visible had mildly tacky membranes.  Didn't see much movement, but did get one little movement when I poked at it.  Moistened the membranes, minimal vessels could be seen, seemed mature, freed the membrane around the head and broke out the shell along the margin of the air sac and put him back.  Misted the box and got the temps back up to 98.  Over the next hour this last one began peeping, moving, and kicked himself free, no yolk, stool noted in shell, looks pretty normal.  Hopefully he makes it.  The other 4 are beginning to peep (for the first time), are making little duck motions with their bills and looking more normal.  I think the O2 agrees with them.  The two head down ones are breathing and resting with their heads out, now.

Well, anyway, that's my experience with them so far.  I tried really hard not to intervene and I know they take time, but they looked like they were fading away on me.  I think I made the right choice.  Time will tell, I guess.  I have no doubt that at least 3 of these 5 would never have survived, and suspect they all would have perished.  Wish I knew why they did so well right up until that time, then just didn't pip.

Sorry for the rambling, just hoping some of them make it.  I'm hopeful for these last 5.

Aww, I'm sorry some didn't make it. I am cheering for the others to pull through!

 

[Dahlisgrams]

Well, my Muscovies never did pip. I watched them after internal pip for 2 days, candled and saw good activity in most misted and left them another day. Yesterday still nothing, and I worried a couple were no longer moving, so went ahead and put 2 mm pips in the ones with internal pips, left the 3 without sign of internal pipping. Tonight (day 4 from first internal pipping) I opened the ones I noted to previously look like they died and without internal pips, opened and found 2 dead with internal pips, 2 dead and vessels looking dark. Also opened the one egg that looked like it quit just before lockdown, case confirmed. That left me with 5 eggs. Candling tonight showed good movement in 2, 2 without internal pips obvious, but movement noted yesterday, and one without movement but a beak visible. Worried that my babies were all dying in the egg, I figured I had to at least try with these ones or at least see what stage they were at. The two with internal pips I widened the holes, vessels look like they are beginning to receed, made enough of a hole that I can monitor them, misted the membranes and put them back. The two without pips I opened the air cells, found nice moist membranes, good vessels, but no palpable or visible beaks, just a leg and shoulder. Both had the head down in the small end, but were still alive. I gently worked through the membrane between vessels until I could insert a blunt probe under the neck and draw the head up and through the membrane for both. They are now resting with heads out but the otherwise still within the egg. Looks like they have a little yolk left to absorb. The one without movement but beak visible had mildly tacky membranes. Didn't see much movement, but did get one little movement when I poked at it. Moistened the membranes, minimal vessels could be seen, seemed mature, freed the membrane around the head and broke out the shell along the margin of the air sac and put him back. Misted the box and got the temps back up to 98. Over the next hour this last one began peeping, moving, and kicked himself free, no yolk, stool noted in shell, looks pretty normal. Hopefully he makes it. The other 4 are beginning to peep (for the first time), are making little duck motions with their bills and looking more normal. I think the O2 agrees with them. The two head down ones are breathing and resting with their heads out, now.

Well, anyway, that's my experience with them so far. I tried really hard not to intervene and I know they take time, but they looked like they were fading away on me. I think I made the right choice. Time will tell, I guess. I have no doubt that at least 3 of these 5 would never have survived, and suspect they all would have perished. Wish I knew why they did so well right up until that time, then just didn't pip.

Sorry for the rambling, just hoping some of them make it. I'm hopeful for these last 5.

So sorry.. it's always sad to lose them.

 

[AyeUpChuck]

Gotta ask, Everyone who has gotten turkey eggs how are they doing for you guys.    I have some little poults from my eggs cooking  as we speak.  I will have some poults in a couple of weeks.  :yiipchick

Once I fill the rest of my turkey egg orders I am gonna start collecting and incubating the eggs and hopefully be then the ducks or guineas will be laying so I can start filling my baby fowl orders. 

I hope to try again. There were two cracked and after 18 days the other 6 were clear

 

[Daloorashens]

WHT = Water Heater Thermostat. I had a similar problem with the first one I had installed in my coolerbator. It still kept the temp but it started making the bulbs flicker and then burn out. I replaced it with a wafer and we are all good now.

Thanks for the clarification, I don't have one of those!!

I'm sorry to hear you had a bad chicken day

I had to cull the cross beaked chick. I had so many die and this fluffed up and was doing well health wise. But he has severe cross beak, missing an eye and the other did not open so not sure there, his head was shaped weird and he could not stand. He was the first I have ever had to cull.

Sorry Susan and Herducks.. that stinks... I felt that way for the NYDH hatch... had set 48, one hatched with a terrible cross beak and missing an eye, so no chicks from that batch, I was SAD... HUGS to you both!!

When I went to see Jon Grice, he sent me home with a dressed Bresse. I roasted it tonight. I was thinking of brining it but I wanted to taste it as is.

I think the texture and flavor is very much like goose. It even has goose like bones, very light and hard.

The only sad part was the skin was tough. I love snacking on the chicken skin. Saved me a bunch of calories though.

Next time brine and butter. Yum!

YUM!!!

I have had heat lamps on mine since October... The barn electric bill is now more than the house!

I have several juv. hens now and there are about 3 that I do not know if I can part with.
My only concern now is that with the Spring eggs I have coming, I will have 23 breeds. Keeping separate pens will be an issue unless my husband works faster on all the new runs I want

(I don't think I'll tell him about the spring eggs. If they just filter in a few at a time I'm hoping he wont notice!! He is on a business trip this week and I have set 105 eggs in the incubator (I'm so addicted)

Haha, at least you're in good company!! (here I mean)

I am so excited! I am getting some eggs from Lynne at wingshadows hacienda, Lemon blue cochin and mf cochin!! I wanted to get some from her last year, but it never worked out. She has gorgeous birds!!

YAY!!!

Came home and was trying to get through 89 post to catch up. Read this too fast and though it said you were setting your first round of ANACONDA eggs...

Took a double take and realized you had not lost your mind!! (Well I guess there would be a market for them somewhere!

)

 

[DMRippy]

RedBush Farms ARE YOU OK? That storm was BAD. Scared me to death. My house was making noises you don't want your house to make.

Prayed all the way down the stairs with 2 kids in tow. I know you guys had worse weather. We have a couple of trees down here at the house.

I hope I can go back to bed

Stay safe everyone.

 

[madamwlf]

So...I am totally and utterly confused about shipping live birds. I am preparing to ship a couple of juveniles, and I want to be sure I do everything right, so I contacted my local post office to get any restrictions. I know it's been mentioned that I need to steer clear of dry ice shipments and that there are some zip codes that are not accepting lives. My post office had our regional "Business Solutions Specialist" contact me. I gave her a list of questions and also told her I need a way to determine if there will be a problem with a specific route because of dry ice. I asked for a list of zips that do not accept lives. She has been researching this for several days, and this is the response I just received...


"....there are no zip codes that should not accept live birds. Now, some post offices may not be able to guarantee a 1-2 delivery to certain destinations, but as far as accepting them once they get there, this should not be a problem.

Also, since you're printing and paying all your postage online, it is not going to be a problem for you to drop them off at the Bluebonnet office. That's going to be the most direct route for the birds. The Baton Rouge postmaster and the plant manager have both said this is fine. The manager recommends that you try getting them shipped on either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, just so you're not running into the weekend. Thursdays should be fine too. Also, you can drop them anytime before 6pm, however, the earlier the better.

And just to reassure you on the safety of the birds, again, dry ice usage is heavily regulated and only minimal amounts are allowed. On the plane, the birds will be stored in an area near the pilot, so the temperature will be regulated and the area will be pressurized.

If you have anymore questions, please let me know! ​

Lacey S-----
Business Solutions Specialist
United States Postal Service"​

So the good news is they are going to allow me to drop off lives directly at the sort facility to decrease the number of transits. The bad news is that the rest of it conflicts with the experiences of many of you. Who should I be contacting at the USPS to get accurate information?

I'm really not sure what you are confused about. The dry ice issue is something the PO deals with, not really something you have to deal with. Most places are 1 day delivery but not all. I shipped birds Monday that were suppose to take 2 days though they actually only took one. Some places are just more rural then others and takes longer for Express to get there. I always ship my birds Monday - Wednesday. Never later then that during the week. I would ask the sort facility what time Express goes out. Here I need to have my Express packages to my PO before 4:30pm which is what time it is sent to the sort facility. You obviously don't want to drop birds off at 9am if the sort facility doesn't really ship them out until 6pm that night. Hope this helps.