Incubators Anonymous

[TeaChick]

Question on the egg packaging and handling topic:
How do you know when you get the eggs whether to set them or to make an omlette?

 

[Bazy]

Quote:
I set every one of them unless they are cracked. Then cull as they smell, or on day 17 when it's obvious. I do this hoping I am wrong, and sadly so far I have not been wrong. One thing I will add is if I suspect the eggs may be dead (so to speak) I will set them in a separate incubator from anything I know is alive. Why jeopardize the good growing eggs with a possible explosion? If they start to grow, I move them to the 'good egg incubator'.

 

[calichicken]

Thanks all for the advice on packing and shipped eggs. I am fairly new to trying shipped eggs so trying to figure out the best way to go about it when I am ready to try again! I guess I just have to keep in mind that shipped eggs are a gamble

Just a bummer because I get them for my super broody bantam cochin and its so sad when they don't hatch out

 

[DMRippy]

You set EVERY egg you get. You can always toss them if they don't develop but why toss an egg that you paid good money for? Cracked eggs can be patched and you can try to hatch them too. It can work sometimes.

You can figure out pretty quick who you can trust for eggs. There are some places I will not order from, just too far. When I order eggs in state and get 0 to hatch I don't do that again.

 

[darkbluespace]

Okay... I just found Ancona duck eggs for $8 a dozen on Craigslist... I paid over $30 for the last 10 and had to have them shipped... hoping two will hatch tomorrow. How can I resist...??

 

[KendyF]

Okay... I just found Ancona duck eggs for $8 a dozen on Craigslist...  I paid over $30 for the last 10 and had to have them shipped... hoping two will hatch tomorrow.   How can I resist...??

you can't. Go get them

 

[Bazy]

Quote:
Resist just long enough to get photos of the parent birds and ask them how old the eggs are, and if they hatch their own eggs and pictures of those chicks. I have been misled by a craigslist sellers as to the breed I was purchasing before and ended up with over 15 chicks that did not further my breeding goal, porous eggs etc... There's no review system with Craigslist, so just be sure you are getting what you think you are. Edited to say..oh I should have said ducklings, not chicks!

 

[LindaB220]

I wrap eggs in bubble wrap all the time and have reports of GREAT hatches. The key with eggs is they can't move. The moving in shipping is what causes issues. I don't get reports of wet eggs ever so my guess is the ones that sweat are kept in a really cool place and then when wrapped get warm and sweat. I don't keep my eggs cool. They are just at room temp.

Now this is good to know.

 

[darkbluespace]

Quote: Well, if I get there and they have khaki campbells I will definitely resist... when I go I always ask to see their birds... haven't had anyone mislead me yet.

 

[darkbluespace]

you can't. Go get them

Maybe I should get half a dozen... with local eggs I am likely to hatch them all!! Winter is also a slight deterrent. I just wish I had found them a month ago and saved 25 bucks and then my broody would have a full flock instead of 2 hopefuls.. oh well.