June Hatch-A-Long

[5 Acre Rooster]

Yea, I wasn't promoting it either (guess I should've said that) but it has worked for me. We'll see how this hatch goes. I pulled 8 eggs that weren't developing. I'm guessing they were a bit older. As I wrote in my original post, I lost ALL my chickens to the fox last week so I put some of their eggs in the incubator, so I can rebuild my flock and have part of the flock I lost.

Really sucks when 1 predator gets into a flock. I really hate the 1's that injure or kill and leave the birds. Maybe pull out the crops. at LEAST eat the bird if that's what your trying to do. I am doing what you are with my ducks, although we have got more hatchery birds for genetic div. I lost the drake and was hoping to rebuild from ducks fertile eggs. It worked and may still be.

 

[Serenity Lane]

Really sucks when 1 predator gets into a flock. I really hate the 1's that injure or kill and leave the birds. Maybe pull out the crops. at LEAST eat the bird if that's what your trying to do. I am doing what you are with my ducks, although we have got more hatchery birds for genetic div. I lost the drake and was hoping to rebuild from ducks fertile eggs. It worked and may still be.

Yes, it definitely sucked! Worst part was that I left the door open. If I had shut it, there's no way the fox would've gotten in. I built my coop very strong and pretty much predator-proof, IF the door is closed and locked. VERY hard lesson learned!
It's difficult when the days get longer. I leave for work around 4pm 4 days a week. I feel bad leaving them inside and I know my boyfriend doesn't shut the door every night I work. I don't blame him though, the chickens are my thing. I am, however, going to take advantage of the fact that he's an electrician and have him make me an automatic door opener/closer that works off of a timer. I know they make them but they're expensive! He's pretty good, he could probably build something with stuff that we already have.
I'm a ways from that though. I have two- 3 month (ish) old Jersey Giants, 13- week old orpingtons and ee's, and the eggs in the incubator due 6/1. I may start taking Bonnie and Clyde (the JGs) outside soon for some supervised free ranging. I'm nervous though. The fox was in my coop 8 days ago.. I don't know when they're gonna come back. I think I'll be fine during the day though.
Ok.. It's time to go turn eggs

 

[Meca]

I am amazed at "y'all" getting such a great photo of candling an embryo...what in the world are you using????  My poor flashlight made for candling does fine with white shells, but I wouldn't be able to photograph the innards!  With dark brown or green eggs it's almost impossible to see any shape for certain, and surely no action.

I used a mag light flash light & my iPhone. I think my phone takes some really good pictures.

 

[Meca]

That us a baby. the very very dark spot on the right is an eye the slightly lighter blob to the left is the body. What day are you? Wait about 6 days and it will be a big baby and it will move around a lot. It is awesome to watch, but don't watch to long or too often.

This is day 8. I don't plan on candling again until day 18. This is when I will take out any that are bad or aren't developing.

 

[Loghousemom]

All 8 of my eggs look fertile! And now I think one week after setting them that I have a RIR going broody... how can you tell if they are going to stay with the eggs? Shes a hatchery RIR so I wasnt expecting it... but she has a bare tummy and is sitting on 5 fertile eggs since this morning...

If it were me, I would watch her for 3 days or so and make sure she stays sitting day and night. If she does and you want to try slipping eggs under her then go for it. I had hatchery stock Welsummers and Cochins that have gone broody. My welsummer sat and was an amazing mom, but that Cochin, sat for 2 weeks then jumped off. So be prepared to put the eggs in an incubator, just in case. Good Luck!

 

[Mypeeps2013]

This is day 8. I don't plan on candling again until day 18. This is when I will take out any that are bad or aren't developing.

Then you have a lot more willpower than me. When I was a newbie I could not help but candle them. At day 3 you can see their heartbeat. At day 5 you see lots of veining. At day 8 you see an embryo. Day 12-16 you see the embryo move a lot. Day 21 you get a baby

It's just too exciting for me not to candle.

 

[Meca]

Then you have a lot more willpower than me. When I was a newbie I could not help but candle them. At day 3 you can see their heartbeat. At day 5 you see lots of veining. At day 8 you see an embryo. Day 12-16 you see the embryo move a lot. Day 21 you get a baby

It's just too exciting for me not to candle.

LOL, I am very excited! I just don't want to mess with them and have them die because I messed with the eggs too much.

 

[Mypeeps2013]

LOL, I am very excited! I just don't want to mess with them and have them die because I messed with the eggs too much.

Good plan!

 

[Meca]

Good plan!

I thought so too!

I don't think I ever posted what breed I am hatching out. I am Hatching Austra Whites.

 

[Meadowchick]

I used a mag light flash light & my iPhone. I think my phone takes some really good pictures.

Then off to Walmart I will go today! And yes your phone does take a good picture!