June Hatch A Long

[CluckNDoodle]

Sigh. Crazy early in the morning check because I can't sleep.... No babies yet.

 

[jolenesdad]

Did a quick egg-topsy of my three day 14 clears: the egg from our hen was infertile: no surprise as the egg was laid less than 24 hours after breeding. Both of the clear shipped BCM eggs had very small embryos with an amniotic cavity and vitelline membrane, so presumably damaged in shipping. I quickly candled air sacs in place tonight, day 16. Our own eggs are about the same as day 14, but shipped eggs have larger air sacs with most having abnormalities, like the air sac going from top down the side. The air sacs in the shipped eggs have changed since Saturday, so I guess I could view this as a positive sign that the embryo is still developing. Any shipped egg afficianados have thoughts on placing shipped eggs under a broody at 18 days versus hatching upright in incubator? Honestly, their air cells are so big that I think that a chick finding the air cell is the least of their worries!

If it’s going to hatch it should do fine there. Most of the air cells by day 15 of even really displaced cells, have turned solid.

Id have a concern that they may be jostled around a little too much, most shipped eggs do best in egg cartons, but that’s also because most eggs hatch better upright if they were incubated upright in an incubator. Lots of people have a lot of success with shipped eggs under a broody. The only other potential issue does t matter where they’re at, and that is that there’s a fair amount of embryo death late in the game after lockdown with shipped eggs.

Also, I’m not sure how much I even believe what I’m saying.... I think SO many things about shipped eggs are really just anecdotal evidence. The shipped egg chicks are either solid enough to make it or not.... Regardless of air cell placement, turning style, or whatever we do to baby them. I spent so much time babying shipped eggs my first two hatches and this time, tossed them in.

I’ve got some upright, some on their sides, I candle them every which way to watch the air cell and learn.... and they’re all still kicking at day 21. (Duck eggs). I’m a bit shocked. I’m sure I’ll lose some when they start absorbing the yolk, but I can’t imagine I’ll lose half.

 

[Mosey2003]

Well, I've got one egg left with an internal pip that hasn't progressed in two days. I have made a safety hole. We shall see what happens. I fear the other 5 are dead in shell. Gahhhhhh

 

[jolenesdad]

Well, I've got one egg left with an internal pip that hasn't progressed in two days. I have made a safety hole. We shall see what happens. I fear the other 5 are dead in shell. Gahhhhhh

I hope not! We’re you able to see from the safety hole?

 

[Mosey2003]

I hope not! We’re you able to see from the safety hole?

See? It's a pinprick.

 

[jolenesdad]

See? It's a pinprick.

Oh okay didn’t know if you had enlarged it. After that much time I’d probably open it up a bit to see if you see any movie t and what the membrane looks like.

 

[Mosey2003]

Perhaps I should have, but I had to get to work and I don't wanna rush it, either. I will open him after work if he's not out.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Perhaps I should have, but I had to get to work and I don't wanna rush it, either. I will open him after work if he's not out.

Oh my goodness, two days after my first hatch I probably would have had to open all of the air cells and just put oil on them so I know what was taking so long! In my head I have an allowable timeline once one of the chicks hatch. Lol

 

[CluckNDoodle]

@Mosey2003 , I really hope more than one hatches successfully for you! I can't stand the idea of a lone chick.​

 

[Mosey2003]

@Mosey2003 , I really hope more than one hatches successfully for you! I can't stand the idea of a lone chick.​

I went to buy him 6 friends last night. I, um, came home with.......eleven?