Poor hatch rates.....

[walkswithdog]

Quote:
I let shipped eggs sit at least 12 hours and usually 24 before putting them in the incubator. Normally I never get less than 60-70% hatch unless the eggs were scrambled in shipping. And I've gotten 100% on shipped so it's possible.

 

[cracking up]

Hi - When you let them sit for 12 hours do you turn them at all. I'm really confused by the fact that some sites say it's important to turn even before you set them and others say don't touch them. Is it just if they're shipped you don't turn?

 

[walkswithdog]

Shipped eggs I do not turn, they rest in a crate for at least 12 and usually 24 hours. I also often do not turn them for a day or two or more if there is SERIOUS air cell disturbance.

I tried shorter waits to set and just starting them turning and that really didn't work with most of the shipments. My 100% hatches each sat for three days unturned.

If they look normal I'll just rest them a full day and turn them as usual, but shipped eggs so often aren't normal, it's sad.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

I agree.
In my humble experience a 30% hatch rate is the norm on shipped eggs.
If walkswithdog is getting 60% regularly by letting them sit still for 3 days, then I am trying that this time.
One thing I have noticed is that the freshness of shipped eggs makes a HUGE difference in hatch rates.
Also, as far as I can tell silkie eggs are about the most fragile shippers of all. Every little thing counts with them.
I have had the best silkie hatch rates from eggs from M@M@2four (she has an auction going right now), she never sends me eggs older than two days and it has seemed to make a difference, I even got a hatch out of herrs when the PO lost the box for a week!

 

[walkswithdog]

Shipped eggs are just hard.

My last two shipments arrived the same day, one set had a cracked egg in it and that set never even started. The other set of 8 eggs, I got five very cute little silkies out of - three cheers for Cjexotic. Four blues and a black. Five of eight is better than 60% I think but I'm not doing the math lol.

I'd get more eggs from CJ any day. My best hatch was a shipment of turkey eggs, they had one broken in the box, but all the others did hatch. Poults are fragile and one died after hatch but that was a 100% hatch. Those rested almost three days before they were set.

It takes fiddling to see what works with shipped eggs and your incubator/set up. They're funny fragile hopeful little things aren't they? Frustrating and heartbreaking too but I try to overlook that part.

Both times I got marans eggs some disaster happened and I lost all of them but one. Ginormous power failure the first time and then a temp spike 134, the second time and the temp spike I STILL got one to hatch. Her name is Faith.

I think in a lot of ways hatching is about faith.

 

[FlightsofFancy]

Well, it's all over....2 little chicks. The other 3 (remember i started with 16) that I left after candling were dead in the shell at different stages. All the air sacs were jacked up. I had to assit with these two...they were all twisted up like I have never seen.
Out of the two...one is just gorgeous and all chirpy. The other is having a hard go of it. It has alot of light green poo...never seen this before.
Thank you! Thank you! It was so nice to have someone to talk to about this...my stress level was getting high, but talking about it brought me down off the ceiling.
I never stop learning with each hatch. Thank you for all the great suggestions....I might just have to try it again. hahaha! As if I could only just walk away....

Anyone want to chime in about the green poo?

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi Kelly! All the chicks I hatch here have a first evacuation that is 'shades of green' --- usually neon green.
Good luck with your new chicks.

Lisa

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

glad I stumbled upon this thread.

My shipped eggs arrived today....I will let them sit a day or two before placing under the broody.

Thanks OP for starting the thread and Thanks Walkswithdog for the resting period suggestion.