Incubating eggs to hatch about August 8th

[Alaskan]

@darkbluespace
No problem! Sorry you didn't get to hatch with us (though I am not hatching anything either, I ended up not being able to have any eggs to set).

I would think that trying to get her to stop being broody, so that she can start eating better again, would be best.

Then, next year, you can experiment with a big nutritional boost a few weeks before you decide to collect eggs to incubate.

 

[MeepBeep]

So I guess there really is something wrong with my hen's eggs. I have not had her long and she was broody on infertile eggs when I got her. I have no idea how long she had been broody before and then she went broody about a month after I got her. Could her eggs all be quitting because she is nutrient deficient? Now that she is broody again and her eggs are not developing I am not sure what to do.

Some birds just like some humans have reproductive problems

With that said as many have said during egg laying season (actually a few months before as well) you can give her (and possibly him) a better diet... I use brewers yeast as an all around supplement, it's loaded with all sorts of good things and it's as easy as mixing in with their dry food... I use KAL brand nutritional yeast (human grade brewers yeast) if I want a protein boost as well as vitamins, if I just want vitamins I use Diamond V XP ( http://www.diamondv.com/languages/en/wp-content/uploads/ProductProfile_XP-Original.pdf ) basically it's a powdered yeast multivitamin supplement sold by the 50lb bag... You can also try giving her lots of fresh stuff, contact a local grocery store (an independent one if you can) and inquire about taking all their 'day old' produce away for free to supplement your hobby farm to save them room in their dumpster... Offer to sign a 'not for human consumption, animal use only waiver'... Big chain stores generally have policies against this but many independent stores will be happy to help you out, I have no shortage of small ma/pa ethnic stores in my area... Use what you can and start a big composted heap with any left overs... I'm currently doing this and I could honestly stop buying feed altogether if I wanted but I like the fact that feed provides a closer balanced diet so it's always available to them and I try to limit and moderate the fresh foods to force them to still eat some feed...

 

[TeaChick]

@calichick
Glad you like my candling logic.
I also try not to judge too quickly. I've started an egg-topsy before b/c the chick didn't move when I candled. It moved when I touched it through the inner membrane! That freaked me out, I almost dropped the egg on the table! I put out back, but I kept the membrane too moist and drowned the chick in the egg.
I'm here for you! (hug)


@chicksahoyfarm
I'll have to try your blanket trick!

@Alaskan
I just wait until evening. It's a good way to kill time with my youngest minion. He's my chick helper and half owner of all my chickens and sole owner of a few of them.

 

[TeaChick]

Candled tonight with my Chick Helper.
All four look good. He said, "Blood veins, check. Chick eyeball, check. Movement, check. All chicks developing, check."

When's our next candle date?
I'm going to lockdown on Wednesday.

 

[AmericanMom]

Nice job!!!

Tomorrow is candle day...YAY!!!!!

I have to candle the eggs in my bator and faithfully have not touched them except to turn, BUT candled the eggs under my broody

so I KINDA have been good.....

Lockdown..more chicks on the way...yippieeeeee!!!!

LOl, I hand turn, I use a small LED light and just hold to to the fat end of the egg, just one or two, it takes care of that need to see something, I don't lift the egg (other then to turn it) and I get to see how they are doing... I did it last night and found one egg with a crack that I had missed.. ( these old eyes aren't what they used to be)... So 19 eggs in, set to hatch on the 18th and I can already see veins in several...

 

[AmericanMom]

Thanks, I put vitamins in the water and can supplement feed, it is just that she isn't eating much right now. Maybe I can break her broodiness... it worked when I brought her home, maybe I just need to take her for a car ride?! It is not super important that I breed her but I want all my birds to be healthy and clearly something is wrong. I am glad that my incubator is alright, I was really concerned that it killed her eggs and I had just ordered some expensive eggs. So I guess I'm out of the August 8th hatch, but I hope all of you have super hatches!!!

I not that far away from you, ( near Eugene) I wish I would have read this thread earlier today, Going to be in Portland tomorrow (going to the zoo with the kids and Grandkids) I would have brought you some eggs!!!... I sell hatching eggs and so far my feedback from buyers is a 90-95% hatch rate!!

 

[calichicken]

Candled tonight with my Chick Helper.
All four look good. He said, "Blood veins, check. Chick eyeball, check. Movement, check. All chicks developing, check."

When's our next candle date?
I'm going to lockdown on Wednesday.

Just finished candling!

I have 4 that are going strong(2 in my bator and 2 under my broody), 2 that are still questionable(1 in my bator and 1 under my broody) and 5 that are definitely not developing

My first batch in the bator go into lockdown on Thursday 8/7

My 2nd batch under broody will be in the "lockdown period" the following Sunday 8/10

I usually candle the day before lockdown just to check in and see how the aircells are looking

 

[calichicken]

I not that far away from you, ( near Eugene) I wish I would have read this thread earlier today, Going to be in Portland tomorrow (going to the zoo with the kids and Grandkids) I would have brought you some eggs!!!... I sell hatching eggs and so far my feedback from buyers is a 90-95% hatch rate!!

Good to know...do you ever have bantam eggs? Would be nice to try eggs that weren't shipped from so far away next time! Have fun at the zoo!!!!

 

[AmericanMom]

Good to know...do you ever have bantam eggs? Would be nice to try eggs that weren't shipped from so far away next time! Have fun at the zoo!!!!

Naw.. My flock is strictly one of dual purpose, only large breeds

Got a gorgeous Blue Orpington and a Barred rock that covers BO's, BA's Sexlinks, Jersey Giants, White leghorn and EE hens..

 

[calichicken]

Naw.. My flock is strictly one of dual purpose, only large breeds

Got a gorgeous Blue Orpington and a Barred rock that covers BO's, BA's Sexlinks, Jersey Giants, White leghorn and EE hens..

Exact opposite here...LOL! Pet chickens with tiny eggs as a bonus! Takes 3 days to get enough egg to make hubby breakfast

Boy we love her though!!!!