Jan./Feb. 2014 hatch a long

[Farmer Viola]

I really just want to dump my frustration this morning...............
I have been having lousy hatches for awhile now........................
Last year had near 100% hatches with the same incubators.............
Had a 50% hatch with my own eggs this time..............
Eggs are good.but losing them at lockdown..............grrrrrrr
Makes my head hurt trying to figure it out.........
I want a new incubator but not in the budget right now..
Well, thanks for listening...............
On a happy note, my chicks that hatched are just super..........
Couldn't be happier with them and they are very healthy...............
Pic's soon....going to put them in the brooder..........
Later

so sorry dear..

I have felt that feeling
I hope you can get it figured out!


Quote:
I use a small pointed nail file that is disinfected. I have a set of tools I use to open eggs, tiny scissors, tweezers, and a pokey nail file that I use to pip the shell.

Does it still look clear when you candle it? Does it look full and more developed? It's hard to help from here, since I can't see the egg.

Candling it before opening it should set your expectations for what you will find. Look all around the egg, at the bottom and the sides and the top.

If it's clearish, I would open it.

If it's very full and dark and you're questioning it, I would float test it.

The shipped eggs I just received are somewhat dirty... What are everyone's thoughts on washing/disinfecting eggs? I have staggered hatches, and while I normally don't wash the eggs, I'm afraid of contaminating the ones already in the incubator with these dirty eggs. I lockdown eggs that are on day 19 in separate incubators. Thanks in advance!

I have hatched from poopy eggs before, it's definitely not ideal but anecdotally, it didn't infect any other eggs. they shouldn't be touching in their carton/turner? depending on your incubator type. I would not wash them personally. Also, if you have ever hatched from a broody, those eggs get pretty poopy just from her feet, and they come out fine

 

[otis7]

I've been candling with the egg flat the same way they are in the incubator for fear of turning them. Is it ok to turn the egg around to look at all angles? I'll try to get a picture, need to wait for the boyfriend to get home and help with the camera.

 

[Farmer Viola]

I've been candling with the egg flat the same way they are in the incubator for fear of turning them. Is it ok to turn the egg around to look at all angles? I'll try to get a picture, need to wait for the boyfriend to get home and help with the camera.

were your air cells detached too? that is when I will not turn my eggs on their sides.

You can hold the egg upright and put the flashlight underneath it and to the side of it (rest the egg on the table point down and candle sideways while holding upright)

 

[Penny Hen]

Thanks for the warm welcome, I'm gonna hug them and pet them and squeeze them and pat them and pet them and rub them... (bugs bunny reference lol)

And call the George!

 

[Penny Hen]

My thermostat has arrived! Now to wire it in.

 

[Farmer Viola]

Thanks for the warm welcome, I'm gonna hug them and pet them and squeeze them and pat them and pet them and rub them... (bugs bunny reference lol)

Yippee!! My 2nd shipment has arrived, the Salmon Faverolles. They're resting and I will set them tomorrow, so we'll be hatching on the same day!

My BLRWs will be hatching 2 days before the Faverolles.

Guys.... gals.... peeps.... guess what. The eggs arrived UN DAMAGED and NOT DETACHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe it
These eggs were the furthest I have ever shipped eggs, they came from Florida to Oregon.
The seller told me that she has better luck when she doesn't write "fragile" or "hatching eggs" on the box. I figured why the heck not?
I might ask all eggs to ship unlabled from now on? Ha I just can't believe they traveled so far and arrived air cells in tact! I Candled twice!

 

[Justin F]

Yippee!! My 2nd shipment has arrived, the Salmon Faverolles. They're resting and I will set them tomorrow, so we'll be hatching on the same day!

My BLRWs will be hatching 2 days before the Faverolles.

Guys.... gals.... peeps.... guess what. The eggs arrived UN DAMAGED and NOT DETACHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe it
These eggs were the furthest I have ever shipped eggs, they came from Florida to Oregon.
The seller told me that she has better luck when she doesn't write "fragile" or "hatching eggs" on the box. I figured why the heck not?
I might ask all eggs to ship unlabled from now on? Ha I just can't believe they traveled so far and arrived air cells in tact! I Candled twice!

WOOOOOHOOOOO!

I'll have to check mine when I get back.

And call the George!

Exactly!

 

[jan12]

I have hatched from poopy eggs before, it's definitely not ideal but anecdotally, it didn't infect any other eggs. they shouldn't be touching in their carton/turner? depending on your incubator type. I would not wash them personally. Also, if you have ever hatched from a broody, those eggs get pretty poopy just from her feet, and they come out fine

Thanks!!! I was really torn about this after reading posts saying to clean them, but now I feel better about putting them in as is.

 

[bwalden]

Love your Avatar!  

I also received more eggs today..EE's.  I am wanting a white EE out there so bad.  I have been buying from those that have photos of whites, and I'm also getting more OE's ..  on their way the first of next week.  

Hi Cynthia! Thanks those are some of my Wellie eggs from last summer. All my Welsummer hens have been molting and only a handful actually even laying. How are your's doing? I love the white EE's too. They are so pretty. I've also been toying for some time with an OE project. I haven't broke down and bought any EE's yet though. I have a large fenced in area, currently being occupied by 3 dogs. It has an 8 foot fence around it with treated lumber 2x8 boards around the entire bottom. Looks like a great chicken pen to me. My sons would never let me get rid of their dogs, but when they pass on I'm thinking I should devide it up into 4 breeder pens. Maybe the EE and OE project!

 

[jan12]

Thanks for all the responses! I think I'm going to put them in as is. One time I received a shipment of eggs with a few broken ones. I rinsed the yolk off of several eggs, and those didn't hatch - They ended up with bacterial contamination inside. Some smelled bad, some had rings when candled... So I'm glad to hear I don't have to wash them! I was kinda scared to do it.