June 2025 hatch-a-long

[PrettyCoolChicks]

I wouldn't worry about it being out for 30 min. I agree it is like a broody taking a break.

hmmmmm are you sure she isn't going up and roosting after you put the others to bed? I would maybe go check just to be sure if you are going to be giving her babies or eggs (sorry I can't remember but I thought you were going to give her the eggs that hatched?)

Oh thanks, great idea to check where she is before I go to bed as well as when I put them to bed.

You're right, if I am confident she will take them, I will give her the babies, but this time they'll be confined to half the coop with no access to the roosts, separated from other birds and I'll have a heat plate as backup. If I end up raising ducklings in the house like the first trio, well at this point, so be it.

Candled again today: there is definite movement and veins in two of the eggs. The third egg, maybe movement, not so much veins so either it's quitting or I can't see well enough. I'm not optimistic but I'll leave it in until I'm sure and candle again tomorrow night.

 

[junior67]

Oh thanks, great idea to check where she is before I go to bed as well as when I put them to bed.

You're right, if I am confident she will take them, I will give her the babies, but this time they'll be confined to half the coop with no access to the roosts, separated from other birds and I'll have a heat plate as backup. If I end up raising ducklings in the house like the first trio, well at this point, so be it.

Candled again today: there is definite movement and veins in two of the eggs. The third egg, maybe movement, not so much veins so either it's quitting or I can't see well enough. I'm not optimistic but I'll leave it in until I'm sure and candle again tomorrow night.

Hopefully you just can't see it well enough! Good luck with the broody taking them.

 

[junior67]

My Orpington eggs went into lockdown tonight. 5/14 have made it this far. I think one had a slight crack though so guess 5/13.

I think I still have 5 BCM eggs but I can't be sure. They go into lockdown on Wed.

Oh I am getting some Owlbeard eggs tomorrow!!! I sold a pair of chicks last year that ended up then and roo. So I am getting some eggs from her to hopefully hatch. They will hatch 4 days before we camp but I leave early afternoon Fri then come back home to get my husband early evening so can check on them. Then have someone checking them Sat then I am home Sun. So technically I will only not see them 1 day.

 

[PrettyCoolChicks]

I'm so excited you're going to get Owlbears eggs again!!

Hope all the remaining Orpingtons and BCMs make it.

 

[junior67]

I couldn't get the owlbeard eggs yesterday so got them today. She gave me 3 so pray they are all fertilized and hatch and I get ONE pullet. then she gave me 4 eggs from another hen she bought from me that is an EE/Cochin cross and the roo is the owlbeard so may be an interesting mix. LOL I set them after I got home.

My Orpington eggs are on day 20 and zero external pips which is so odd to me since normally my chicks hatch on day 20 and with no external pips on day 20 they may not even hatch on day 21......

the BCM are on day 18 so I will swap them over to the other incubator to go into lockdown then guess see in 3-4 days if I was right with 5 being good..... it is so hard not being able to see ANYTHING in those eggs besides they are dark and the aircell is lighter. hahaa. sometimes I think I see a shadow moving but we shall see. I have 2 others that I don't think are good but keeping just in case since they aren't as bright and clear as the ones I threw out were. one I am almost pos quit early on. the other may have quit but not sure.

Editing to add. I took a quick peek at the orpington eggs when I did the BCM eggs for lockdown and while I see some shadowing I don't see any internal pips yet and hear no chirping yet. So almost positive we won't have any babies on day 21 since there aren't any internal pips even. But hopefully on Thurs there will be some.