What beautiful dogs... you guys sure were lucky to have them.
Sarah, I had the same thing with several of the quiters. I am thinking it has something to do with the shipping. Even worse if you have a crappy postal worker having a crappy day... I had some eggs that the veins weren't spider formed, but up and down formed, embryo started and stopped by lock down. At lock down, because I am such a newb at this, I left the ones that I was sure were quits, just because I wasn't sure. I had 3 hatch from that side out of the 13 I had marked. But on that side, the same thing you are discribing, clear air cell, chick development,but the bottom 3rd of the egg was also clear. I am wondering if some of those were just too scrambled, but I didn't catch it? Hm.. don't know. I am going to try it again. After all, I did get 17 chicks out of the 36 I put in lock down, and only 23 of those I was sure of.
Betty, my year old black australorp hasn't budged from her selected nest for two full days, slept in it last night. She's all "puffed up" and won't let anyone reach under her. So I'm not sure if I want more chicks right now. I have 21 five week olds almost ready to leave the brooder. I really will have two full coops once they grow up, but I would LOVE to get a few salmon faverolles eggs to put under her. I lost my only sf hen in late March to a raccoon. Her single egg in my incubator at the time did hatch, but it's a boy (mixed with Easter egger). Right now she's determined to hatch the ceramic eggs I've given her. She tucks them under herself so eagerly when I put one near her. Enjoy your day Moms! I'm on my way to Cadillac right now (DH driving) to see my mom with my family. Don't forget to cover your plants tonight!
