Set on 2/4...who's with me?

[cupman]

Well the smelly eggs just happened to be eggs that never started growing. After two weeks of 100*F temperatures they had started to spoil. It wasn't overwhelming or anything, it was just clear that they had started to turn. None of the eggs I broke open had even the slightest growth so it leads me to believe they were dead since day one. It makes sense, because 11 of the 42 I set I had found in a rogue nest in my yard. I wasn't sure if they were fertile or not so I just threw them in. The majority of the spoiled eggs came from the row with the unknown eggs.

I have read other posts, however, and the bacteria build up inside the egg can potentially become hazardous to your healthy, growing eggs. It's important to get the eggs out before they really turn rotten because they tend to burst when they get really old... and all that bacteria and guts would go over the good eggs.

I am sure all the spoiled eggs are out of my incubator now. That leaves me with 32, I just hope they are all still growing and I don't get any quitters. I really don't want to crack open an egg and find a half-developed bird...

We are getting close! one more week until our new arrivals.

 

[Spangled]

Somehow I just deleted a post! Gone. Phffftt. Time for a quick do-over.

How's everyone's incubating going?

I am thinking of candling tonight, but I don't think I'll see much at this point.

I think I'm going to remove the turner in my styrobator on Wednesday because I have a staggered hatch with some eggs supposed to hatch about 24 hours after the ones that are due on Friday afternoon.

I also still have to go wash the plastic brooder that is outside. It's a mess. I used it for other stuff in the summer and fall. I just hope it fits through the door.

Where is everyone keeping their chicks? In the house? Garage? Straight to a brooder coop? Mine will be in the house for about 3 days then out to the brooder pen.

 

[LilyD]

Lock down on Wednesday for me all 27 of my eggs seem to be developing well. Now to see who hatches.

 

[RoyalFlock]

I hope I get at least 2 of the now 6 (was 7) shipped silkie eggs to hatch. I really want silkies!

Does lock down exist for broody hens? day18 is this Wednesday, can she get off the nest to eat and drink during 'lock down'?

 

[cupman]

32 eggs left. I go into lockdown Tuesday around noon because I started a day before most of you. I have not decided where I'm going to put my chicks yet. The other members of my household have made it clear the chicks are going outside. I think I can buy a week of indoor time.

After that they are off to my friend's house. All of his hens were killed but he has a rooster that has managed to escape death. We decided he couldn't just have a rooster with no hens to watch over. He said he's going to buy all the ones that hatch but I think I might just make him buy me lunch instead. It's going to be tough to give up all my chicks I hatched. Maybe I'll keep a few... they ARE my first hatch.

To RoyalFlock: From what I've read hens will remain on the nest full-time while in the final few days.. not even leaving to get food or water. I'm not sure how true that is but I have read that in another thread. It sort of makes sense, though.

 

[Spangled]

I hope I get at least 2 of the now 6 (was 7) shipped silkie eggs to hatch. I really want silkies!

Does lock down exist for broody hens? day18 is this Wednesday, can she get off the nest to eat and drink during 'lock down'?

Hoping for more than just 2 of your silkie eggs hatch.

I have used broodies for hatching a number of times. I let the hens go broody for a while before I move them into a solitary location. I let them settle in at their new broody box for a few days and only then do I set the eggs for hatching under them. Then I start counting 20 days + 2 or 3 which is when I expect her to come off the nest with chicks. Through all that, there is just no possible way that the broody hen knows when Day 18 is. Plus she often gets chicks to hatch on Day 20. She does not do a lockdown the way that people hatchers do a lockdown because she can't necessarily easily regulate the humidity system up to 60/70% on Day 18.

The broody hens, however, very well may start a lockdown of sorts when they hear the first chirp made by the chicks after they break through the internal membrane and into the air cell. I know they talk back and forth to each other during this time.

Ours are free to get off to eat and drink, but I don't even pay any attention. If I use broodies this spring, I should mark the water level on the feeder on day 18 and see if it goes down any between days 18 and 20. I could also smooth over the top of the feed dish and then I'd be able to see if she pecked in it between days 18 and 20. Then we'd know if she does a lockdown or if she eats and gets off the nest during the period known by humans as lockdown. Maybe I'll remember. Maybe I won't.

 

[RoyalFlock]

Thanks you guys/gals.
Spangled: We shall see, I do hope for more than 2 but shipping really lowers the hatch rate, I heard...
cupman: That rooster is gonna be waiting for a long time! Why can't your friend just by full grown hens or pullets?

 

[cupman]

He likes the idea of having chickens that I hatched rather than some stranger. His rooster is old, probably 6 or so if I were to guess. He thought the rooster was doomed or would die of old age any time. But the rooster has survived so he decided to get him a flock and secure his facility better. I know the poor rooster is probably lonely but at least he's got some mates on the way.

 

[mstricer]

I will be locking down tomorrow, I have BCM and Lavender Ameraucana's from Bargin. Good Luck

 

[cupman]

my eggs started wiggling!! I am scared I thought they would take a little longer to hatch. I flipped the lid up just a few inches so I could adjust a few crooked eggs. The humidity dropped about 15%. I hope I didn't screw things up. I have plans for dinner so I'm not going to know what's going on. can't wait to get home