Newbie incubator/hatcher questions

[AmyLynn2374]

Ok seller said each egg is wrapped in tissue paper then placed in a foam box made for shipping eggs. The egg box is then wrapped in bubble wrap and placed in another box for shipping. Now I'm curious how long can fertile eggs be stored before being incubated.

Most highly recommended is 7-10 days. After 2 weeks, the hatch rate is expected to drop significantly.

 

[Mysimplewyominglife]

Most highly recommended is 7-10 days. After 2 weeks, the hatch rate is expected to drop significantly.

Thanks for the heads up was curious as my hubby found some more Brahma eggs from some light blue lace looking brahma's lol he's quite taken with the look of them but we only have one incubator and the eggs we are getting won't even be half way to hatching point before the bidding stops. Ppl are right once you get a few chickens you'll want more which I do lol.

 

[FloridaChick88]

I give my girls scrambled eggs and occasionally, boiled eggs. It's one of their favorite treats, and I haven't had any problems with them becoming egg eaters...knock on wood. They are definitely a good source of protein for them. I also like to crunch up the eggshells after I've cooked the eggs and spread them around in the run so the girls can forage and get a little extra calcium. They also love watermelon and heads of lettuce...but I digress.

As far as buying hatching eggs and having them shipped in the mail, I've had mixed luck. A lot of it really depends on how rough/gentle the postal service is with the eggs. Just make sure to let the eggs "rest" for 24 hours with the large end facing up so that the air cell can get into the correct position before putting them in the incubator. I like to candle my eggs when they arrive so I can see if any of the air cells have become detached during shipping and check for any internal cracks that aren't visibe to the naked eye.

 

[Mysimplewyominglife]

I give my girls scrambled eggs and occasionally, boiled eggs. It's one of their favorite treats, and I haven't had any problems with them becoming egg eaters...knock on wood. They are definitely a good source of protein for them. I also like to crunch up the eggshells after I've cooked the eggs and spread them around in the run so the girls can forage and get a little extra calcium. They also love watermelon and heads of lettuce...but I digress.

As far as buying hatching eggs and having them shipped in the mail, I've had mixed luck. A lot of it really depends on how rough/gentle the postal service is with the eggs. Just make sure to let the eggs "rest" for 24 hours with the large end facing up so that the air cell can get into the correct position before putting them in the incubator. I like to candle my eggs when they arrive so I can see if any of the air cells have become detached during shipping and check for any internal cracks that aren't visibe to the naked eye.

How do I know if the air cells have become detached? Thankfully the seller only lives 2 hrs away (can't drive down their as I don't drive and the hubby works basically everyday) and it's coming first class next day signed mail. So they should be here tomorrow. Can't wait I have had kittens, pups and hamsters but not chickens love experiences like this lol

 

[FloridaChick88]

It is really amazing watching the babies grow and develop. When I hatched my first eggs I stayed up watching them all night, it was so fascinating!

When an air cell becomes detached wou can actually see it moving around inside the egg when you move it. I've posted a video for you below. I always put the eggs with detached air cells in the incubator anyway because sometimes they do hatch but most of them, at least in my experience, are quitters.

 

[Mysimplewyominglife]

It is really amazing watching the babies grow and develop. When I hatched my first eggs I stayed up watching them all night, it was so fascinating!

When an air cell becomes detached wou can actually see it moving around inside the egg when you move it. I've posted a video for you below. I always put the eggs with detached air cells in the incubator anyway because sometimes they do hatch but most of them, at least in my experience, are quitters.

Now that is fascinating. Thank you. And staying up all night to watch them hatch sounds like something I would do.. But then again if there is a chance to save one I will do that too lol.

 

[spd500]

Who are you looking at buying eggs from ? Or , what city and state is the seller in ?

 

[Mysimplewyominglife]

I live in the UK i would not have turned to eBay if I could have found someone via poultry magazines an smallholder/farm mags. Don't remember the person I bought them from of the top of my head I do know they have good feed back via eBay and they also have a fan page with good feedback their as well as videos and pictures of the brahma's ppl have hatched from her eggs. Seems most have a good success rate with quite a few hatching 6/6

 

[Mysimplewyominglife]

They live 3 hrs away in sedberg UK someplace. That's a long drive. But like I said if I could have found someone closer I would not have turned to eBay.

 

[Mysimplewyominglife]

Well the postal person tried to delivery my hatching eggs like mins after I left the house for my daughters dr appt. Picked them up this morning and found that the seller included 3 more eggs FOC so now I have 9 eggs. I did candle them and it looks like the air cell is still were is is ment to be on all 6 + the 3 freebies no cracks no nothing. I should be able to set them tomorrow round 10am if following the 24 hr rest rule which I am. I have also placed in my incubator a digital read out thermometer and hygrometer 2 in 1 thing, it seems to be working good as the incubator has a range of 37.4-37.6 celsius or about 99.32f - 99.68f humidity is between 50% and 55%. I have had it plugged for about 6 hrs now and it has not fallen below 37.4 and has not gone about 37.6 celsius and what I have read out of a book on hatching thats a good range (is that right?). also a few of the eggs look like they have like some on touched them with wet dust hands and have a few prints on a few eggs, the eggs don't sell bad or anything how do I go about cleaning them? can I just use a dry sponge with soft "rough" side to clean it?