Need some hatching buddies - Hatching May 24-28

[Stevenson]

Quote:
So what is the something similar to cartons that you used? Since you had a successful hatch then I am all ears

!
I guess cutting the bottoms out of the cartons would negate the making it easier to clean up the hatcher idea, darn!

It won't change the cleanup because the bottom of the shell remains intact. What I had was a plastic - I don't know what it is called. I got it when I got my incubator. Here is a picture -

Here are a few threads about carton hatching. I am beginning to wonder if it isn't the best thing to do. Also apparently some people don't cut the bottom out of the cartons also. Now I am confused! LOL

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=331573&p=1
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=168360
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=311060

 

[dretd]

Quote:
Thanks for the links! I think I looked as some of the info before, but hadn't read the first one. I found the info where the poster traced the aircell at lockdown and found that that's where the chicks pipped especially interesting. I think I'll do that at lockdown too and see if I get the same results.

My default for hatching is going to be the egg cartons unless I see a more creative idea.

 

[Stevenson]

By the way, this is an excellent thread on candling

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=261876

 

[dretd]

Quote:
Thanks for posting the link!

I did read through that one before and one of the many problems I had with my first batch was the eggs were green. Apparently that makes them harder to candle. I ended us using a tinkered halogen lamp to see stuff on the inside, but I wondered if it generated too much heat because the shells were warmer in the spot where I had the lamp when I was done.

Just one of many compounded problems. I figure if I get all the mistakes out on the first round, then I'll be golden from now on

at least thats what I keep telling myself!

 

[lebentier]

ok, so first i have to say i have scoured every resource about candling that i can find but i still feel insecure. i candled today (day 7) with an ovaview candler and all of my eggs look the same to me. no veining that i can tell, a big dark blob (yolk sized) hanging around at the top of the egg (no matter which way i turn the egg it floats at the top). nothing seems to bounce or move on it's own. i can see the air pockets and they seem about right. should that dark blob be there? do i just have to learn to see past it? or are all 11 of my eggs duds? ugh! i am stumped because they don't look 'exactly' like any picture i can find.

 

[fifelakelooper]

Quote:
I would love to hear how everyone candles, or if they candle. My friend's sis that sent half of my eggs admonished me not to candle because she thinks it decreases hatch rate. My last hatch was a failure and I think there were multiple problems culminating in total failure so now I am paranoid about any factor that could stress the developing chicks.

I read one thread where the gal shines a flashlight down on the egg as it sits in the turner. That way there's no risk in jostling or dropping the egg. Has anyone tried that before?

Its so hard not to peek inside! I was thinking at the very least I should candle before lock down to take out the clears and early quitters any way.

I have only done 1 hatch...but I took a plastic single tissue box..(the type for a small square box) and at the top where there is a oval...I took black rubber and made a circle for a cushion...for the eggs. Then I took some styrofoam we had around...made a indentation to fit the base of a small LCD flashlight we got at TSC...I turn on the flashlight...stick it lighted end up in the styrofoam, put the tissue box over it all and with the lights off...put the egg on the black foam cushion. It works pretty good but never saw veining...just the aircells and blobs inside.

) Don't know if you understand but if you read on BYc they talk about making the same type with a coffee tin and a light bulb.

 

[dretd]

Quote:
Thanks for sharing your idea, sounds quite clever! If I understand the mechanism the eggs are placed pointy end down on the rubber and the light is beamed up into the egg. I know when I tried candling I was able to see better with the light shining through the air cell or sometimes at a different angle from the side. I figure if you can tell if there is a blood ring or if there is any development, thats really what you need.

 

[WriterofWords]

Today was one week for us, we didn't get to candle though because we were still testing. Hopefully tomorrow we'll do it.

 

[Stevenson]

I candled about half of my 54 eggs so far.

Best I can tell, I am 6 out of 6 on Dominique, 9 out of 12 on Speckled Sussex, 1 out of 5 on Barnevelder, 1 out of 5 on Welsummer, and 0 out of 3 on the Ameracauna.

I started to candle my Delaware eggs when disaster struck. One of the eggs apparently had a hairline crack and was leaking the slightest amount of fluid so it was stuck to the egg turner. The egg cracked open and broke. I had to do my very best to clean it all up...I think I got it taken care of, but the temperature dropped during that time to about 90 degrees (5 minutes) and I decided to suspend the rest of the candling til after I can get my temperature back up. I may even wait til tomorrow to make sure that things get back to normal.

On a side note, I have already been told by the seller of the Barnevelder, Welsummer and Ameracauna eggs that she will replace them for the cost of shipping (even though I don't think it's her fault - it took three days for them to get here through the mail). I think that is unbelievably admirable! I am going to give them a few more days to make sure that they are in fact not going to make it before I accept her offer. BYCer's are just great folks!

 

[Cynthia12]

Hi Stevenson, I think you asked me to post some pictures of my Barnevelders when they hatched.

Whew, what a day. Had to really watch, and help, a couple out. Once is still in the bator, but I really don't think it will make it.
I will post some pics tomorrow sometime, they are just now finishing up hatching. I only got four. Hoping, for a pullet! Or two.

I candled my eggs that we are on here for..all are fertile with the Ameruaucanas. I only got one of this bantam egg that is a frizzle. I so hope it works. You wouldn't believe the size of the egg. All of her frizzles are just tiny!