Langshan Eggs in the Bator! Incubator sucks...

[rodriguezpoultry]

I opened up one I thought had died (carefully) and it was still alive and kicking. It looks way behind in development. Just weird???

The others started hatching last night. One's a breech, the other looks REALLY tired and the fourth is almost out of the egg. I go to work at 3:30 and get off at 7:30. I'll be excited when this one is over!

The one furthest out of the egg is a little cockerel (of course...).

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

The breech died. There was no way I could have saved it...the head was tucked into the chest and the blood vessels were still large. It died about an hour ago...I opened it up...hate it but nothing I could have done.

Now, I can have at most 4 chicks hatch...if I'm lucky.

 

[bel]

Sorry for your loss, its so hard when they are struggling and theres nothing you can do.

Congrats on the one out of the egg so far, and those to come! The parents are beautiful, cant see much of the hens but the dad sure has a gorgeous sheen to him.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

The hens aren't as up-front with their affection as the dad is. They have the gorgeous sheen too...especially the tightest feathered on. She just started laying though, so not so hopeful on her eggs yet.

I'm wondering why the eggs are hatching so late though? It's just really weird...I haven't adjusted the temps in the incubator and everything's at the same setting.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Makes no sense.

2 popped out easily enough, 1 was breech, 1 was DOA and 1 is still inside of it's shell, 2 days late. I opened it and the chick was gasping inside of the amniote. I opened the sac and it's breathing normal....weird....

 

[Chris09]

rodriguezpoultry --

What incubator are you using?
Is it one that has the Electronic Thermostat or does it have the old manual style Thermostat?
I was told the the ones that have the Electronic Thermostat aren't all that good and they have a really bad hatch rate..

Chris

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Unfortunately, I'm using my styrofoam incubator. The temperature is manual...I have it marked where it needs to be for the "perfect" temp and I haven't even touched the thermostat since the last incubation. Which was 3 days early.

Depressing. Maybe this will be my only hatch this year. The two that didn't make it were pullets. I now have 1 cockerel and 1 pullet out jumping around in the incubator. The third is still cramped inside that egg. If it doesn't make any progress in the next few hours I'll see about scraping it out. Eggs should be clear instead of colored...

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
That is what I been using and I dont get that bad of hatch from it, about 95% - 97%.
I do plan to make a sportsman type incubator this year, I have the heating element, fan and thermostat already.
All I have to do is get my but in gear and get the wood and build it.

Chris

 

[femalecbrown]

I sure hope everything goes ok. I am expecting my first Langshans May 5. I fell in love with this breed and cannot wait to have my own. Best of luck!

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Quote:
That is what I been using and I dont get that bad of hatch from it, about 95% - 97%.
I do plan to make a sportsman type incubator this year, I have the heating element, fan and thermostat already.
All I have to do is get my but in gear and get the wood and build it.

Chris

Is yours a still air or forced air? I miss my still air terribly...

I'd get 85% hatches and higher, but this forced air I hardly get anything to hatch. Really depressing.

femalecbrown, PLEASE post photos of your chicks! You will not regret your decision in Langshans...they are simply the best breed!

Chris thinks otherwise I'm sure!