Making Lemonade [Selective Culling Project - very long term]

[U_Stormcrow]

I'll snap a photo after the parents have gone, and good photos this weekend.

My daughter is visiting next weekend, so that will largely be a posting blackout period too.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

More coffee. The "black" bird is actually dark chipmunk - all I could see was the black stripes until the shell halves fully seperated.

So far, this is a promising hatch.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

 

[U_Stormcrow]

No activity from any of the other eggs yet.

and yes, these all got wiped with sanitizing wipes when set.

I will candle after coffee, look for signs of what might be going on (or not)

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I had given up, but there is one more hatching. I never candled this batch, more than half appear to have been either infertile, or very early quits. Asking myself it the antibacterial wipes I used might be the problem

 

[Sally PB]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-hatching-eggs-before-incubating.84543/page-2

The last few posts of this (old) thread are recent and might have pertinent information.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Thank you!

 

[3KillerBs]

View attachment 3549933View attachment 3549934View attachment 3549935

Those look very promising for your colors.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

they do. and the 4th one is still in its (mostly cracked and peeled away shell, coming out very slowly. I'll assist if its not out tonight after work.

 

[NanaK]

Just a thought...
How long has it been since you added new blood to your flock?

Birds can be bred to family members more closely than other species but after a while problems can arise. I've read one of the earliest signs can be viability and fertility problems.

Because of this many breeders produce 2 or 3 lines of birds. They select birds from each line to breed that are more distantly related, such as aunts, cousins, etc. This also helps them to reduce unwanted traits and improve wanted traits and avoid breeding depression.

Not saying this is your issue, just something to consider.