remember me? I had the cold, washed, unincubated eggs?

[michinrepose]

I hope some of you remember my post from a week+ ago. I had moved my hen's nest (she had been setting for just over 2 weeks, but other hens had "added" their own eggs to her stash), and she refused to re-boot after the move. After over three hours of cooling, I finally decided to take the eggs and try to incubate them myself. I HAD to wash them too, as the hen had pooped all over them, then I mis-read the instructions on the incubator and set the temp for 80 degrees instead of 100 degrees and they endured that for approx 24 hours. By the time I posted I knew it was a lost cause, but I really wanted to HEAR THAT so that I could feel confident about getting rid of the eggs. Well no one gave me encouragement about them hatching, but I didn't receive the "oh, you can toss them out" that I was looking for either, so I kept them in the incubator and corrected the temperature. And I prayed.
The chicks began hatching a few days ago, I have seven as of now, they are my miracle chicks and I plan to name them all Ben, (just wrote a song called "a chicken named Ben" and so it seems fitting. Hatching out these eggs seemed hopeless, but here they are all the same. I hope this story will help someone who's having trouble making a decision about whether or not to bother with their bunch of questionable eggs.
I know it wasn't the incubator, it certainly wasn't my handling or any kind of consistency as there was none...........it must, it HAD to be the prayer, and so I want to give God the glory, hope He likes the name "Ben".
God bless you all, your chickens too!

 

[write2caroline]

What a sweet little miracle. Actually all life is a miracle and scientifically speaking, the odds are against it ever happening! WOW!
Thanks for posting.
Caroline

 

[georgialee]

Congrats! It's amazing how much those little guys can survive!

 

[FenDruadin]

Awesome!! I'm so glad to hear that. I am constantly amazed at what eggs can endure and still hatch. I love Dave Holderread's story from when he was a kid and found a clutch of eggs at the park--under water! That he took home and hatched--and one of those was his very favorite duck as a child.

Glad your babies are hatching. That's wonderful!

 

[Terry]

That was beautiful thanks for sharing and the encouragement for the rest of us.

Congratulations and keep the faith!

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Thank you Lord....

 

[Trog]

Good to hear such a story when I am waiting for mine to hatch. Tomorrow is the last day I think to hope for. I'm going into day 23. Everything text book, just no chicks hatching. Congratulations! You've given me hope for one more day.

 

[wolftracks]

Quote:
I had 4 hatch on the 25th day, so hand in there just a little longer.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Trog, My last two hatches didn't even begin pipping until day 24, and I have them still hatching today on day 25. Maybe it is the heat and humidity slowing them down or something? I don't know, I am just glad they are getting out of their shells.

 

[Mandalina]

yay! You are giving me hope, my 5 eggs got chilled last night and I really want them to hatch.