May 2023 Hatch-a-long

[Hedgeland Farms]

Today is day 8.
I stayed on top of development that last few days bc I had them off.

As far as I can tell I have 8 lively babies, 1 questionable (still see some veins but it's floating weird)

And 2 with what I am sure are blood rings but will stay in for a few more days to be sure...

They are separated...

I won't be looking at them again till at least sunday...likely next wk...

I'll stop turning on day 14 (just what I've decided to do based on info I've read here and elsewhere. ) so I wanna have all my quitters out by then...

 

[Dinoroar]

Only 3 days left for Moonsparkle's eggs! I'm getting nervous now! I hope she keeps sitting tight. It's been 28 days so far because she was on infertile ones for an extra 10 days at the start so I'm hoping she doesn't quit now.

I managed to candle them really quickly and 9 of the 10 eggs look good.

Do you think the hens know when the eggs are getting close? Like, if she can feel them moving or maybe even hear them it might let her know to hang on in there?

I do think the feel them moving or in sone way sense they’re getting close. I know they cluck and purr talking to them while they hatch but I wonder how early they can feel them moving.

 

[Waterfaery]

I do think the feel them moving or in sone way sense they’re getting close. I know they cluck and purr talking to them while they hatch but I wonder how early they can feel them moving.

Yes, I wonder. I wish I could observe her more because I find it really interesting. I need a camera in there! Maybe next time.

 

[Dinoroar]

5 babies out and 2 more pipped. There was one not yet pipped that I pulled out to check on which had unfortunately passed after internally pipping. It looked like the angle it pipped into the air sac made the distance to far to reach the shell. I’m hopeful for the last 2 though so far nothing off about their progress. If they hatch I’ll have 7 of 9 shipped eggs which I’ll be fantastically happy about.

I know what they say about counting before hatching… but that’s chickens and these are ducks so I’m gonna go ahead and do it

 

[Waterfaery]

In case anyone was interested in the wild barn owls I posted about, all 5 of their eggs have hatched! The webcams will remain live streaming until the owlets fledge, which will be another couple of months.

 

[FeatherProfessor]

What day are you on? My incubator eggs seemed to take forever last time. Especially my 5 eggs. I had myself convinced they were DIS even though I peeked and they were moving in the eggs. Lol

Day 20! I may have to peek tonight if I don’t get any pips

 

[Canadian Wind]

Day 20! I may have to peek tonight if I don’t get any pips

I feel your pain! Mine are in lockdown too, and I just want to keep peeking in on them!

 

[FeatherProfessor]

I did end up candling my incubator 1 eggs (as fast as humanly possible while putting them back exactly oriented the way they were) and all have movement! Just not ready to come out yet. Grrrr.

On incubator 2, I decided to candle to satisfy my impatience even though it's only day 9. Lots of strong movements!

And a very weird thing going on with Dinosaur/#5. Any ideas why it appears to have two eyes completely unattached to each other?? See video below.

 

[Dinoroar]

I did end up candling my incubator 1 eggs (as fast as humanly possible while putting them back exactly oriented the way they were) and all have movement! Just not ready to come out yet. Grrrr.

On incubator 2, I decided to candle to satisfy my impatience even though it's only day 9. Lots of strong movements!
View attachment 3501957
View attachment 3501958

And a very weird thing going on with Dinosaur/#5. Any ideas why it appears to have two eyes completely unattached to each other?? See video below.

! Is it Twinsies?

 

[Dinoroar]

All finished up! 7 heathy looking ducklings. I’ve moved the 4 earlier hatchers to the brooder and there are 3 still in the incubator. 2 mostly fluffed waiting on the last one out to dry off.