I'm a killer--newbie didn't know better!

[lhayes1976]

I've wanted to become a chicken owner for a couple of years--my son had a small flock--so I decided I wanted to. My HOA, however, doesn't allow it. No poultry--only pets which are common for our "gerographic" region. So I got a brainstorm--I decided I will hatch my own chicks and claim they are my pets. I'm going to try and pull the "these are my grandkids pet" card. I live in KY--I'm sure there are some pet chicken owners. All they can do is tell me to get rid of them--I will give to my son if they do. I know I'm rambling, now to the topic--after seeing some posts about electric skillet hatching--I decided I'll do it. So this weekend I started 12 RIR eggs in a skillet--99 deggrees and 65% humidity (I know this isn't ideal--but it's as close as I can get) Well I'm obsessed and I started candling tto early. Now on day three and half--I saw big shadows at the top and no veins. Well, I read somewhere that dark shadows mean a non-fertile egg. I couldn't see anything but the shadow--no veins or darks spot where I thought an embryo shoud be. Then I started getting paranoid about exploding eggs. I decided that I would dissect one just to see what was going on-- I truly expected to see nothing but yellow yolk and lo and behold there were blood veins and an embryo--now I feel so guilty. I killed the little baby. But part of me is very excited--I think this may actually be working. Please hold my hand the rest of the way--I wish I would've posted sooner--I HAVE NO PATIENCE! I hope the chicken gods forgive for doing this.

 

[skillswife]

I didn't get rid of any eggs until at least day 10 because it can be very hard to tell. I think unless your eggs are older to begin with you risk of having a bad egg explode are pretty minimal this early on.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

That is why I hate people telling first timers to candle to cull eggs. Candling is no use to a first timer other than looking at the air cell size. Smelling eggs is all that is needed. Only throw out eggs that stink. After a while you will learn which ones wont hatch but still the only reason to remove any eggs that does not stink it to make more room. If you dont need the room leave them in there.

 

[lhayes1976]

So the eggs will emit a smell before they explode? I read a post on another forum where the eggs exploded after day 5--that's what got me concerned. Gosh there's just so darn much to learn. I hope these babies make it. I am going to really make myself leave these eggs alone. Just keep monitoring the temp and humidity. It's just that I am so fascinated by all this--amazing that it only takes 21 days.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

As a rule I tell people to smell the top vent on the incubator every day. If it ever has a stink to it you pull all the eggs out an smell them. The bad ones will put off a strong stink for a long time before they are in danger of popping.

Clean fresh eggs should never go that bad before 7 days an most clean fresh eggs should not go bad the whole 21 days.