November/December "Hatch-a-Long"

Can doing the float test be detrimental?

i would have thought it would cause trouble with the eggs ability to exchange oxygen??

does anyone know of this, or have they tired the float test before??

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Can doing the float test be detrimental?

i would have thought it would cause trouble with the eggs ability to exchange oxygen??

does anyone know of this, or have they tired the float test before??

:cd

you would definitely check they aren't internally pipped before you try it....

X2! I recommend float testing as a last resort, if you must do it at all. It's not a truly reliable method for determining viability, but may be a bit more useful than sitting on your hands for days when they're overdue.
When you float them, you leave them in for a very short time, so they should be ok. Just make sure you have the water warm enough. Very important. 100 degrees. If the water is colder than the egg, it will cause shrinkage within the egg which will suck in water and bacteria through the pores. The warm water not only keeps them at a proper incubating temperature but expands the contents of the egg against the pores to prevent water and bacteria from entering. Or so I've read.
The float test thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ng-egg-viability-for-late-or-overdue-hatching
 
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Hello all. Set 26 Basque eggs on the 14th of September. 2 were clear, 24 still good at lockdown. Average weight loss at the start of day 19 was 13%. The most loss was 17% and the least was 7%. This is the beginning of day 21, one pip in the night, no zip yet. Kept very good records of humidity, temp and individual egg weight loss. Will be real interesting on who hatches, who doesn't and why. These are shipped eggs, Florida to Nebraska. This is my second hatch, my first was a bust. 14 eggs, one hatched and died 5 days later. The other 13 fully developed and drowned. Humidity is at 65% today. Will post results. Thanks
 
I HAVE CHICKS! Or at least a chick this morning. I went to feed the girls and there it was! Yesterday they were peeping and wiggling so I thought they might hatch today... Didn't realize it would happen overnight!


I promise pictures later today!
 

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