So all 80 of the eggs have been in the bators now for just over 7 days, so I candled and weighed them all. 2 RRs, 3 potential RRs, 22 potential clears. Average weight loss should be 4.33%...it is 3.01% in the Janoel, and 3.67% in the
Brinsea. Nice and close to target, and better under than over. Assuming all the potential clears are actually clears, I'm at a 72.5% fertility rate, which is lower than my roo has averaged so far, so I strongly suspect some of these potential clears will become viable when I candle next.
On an interesting note, of the 5 eggs that were 21 days old going into the bators, 1 was an RR, 1 is a questionable RR, 2 are potential clears, and 2 have distinct embryos. So no consistent pattern to old eggs...so far. Equally interesting, my other potential RRs are 11 and 3 day old eggs (age at entering the bators). One trend that is fairly stable is that older eggs have lost more weight since being put in the bator than younger eggs. I assume its because the shells of the older eggs had dried out more than the younger eggs. When I start collecting for my next hatch I think I am going to put the eggs into the Sytrofoam bator with the turner and get the humidity up high, but turn the heat way down or off. 40 of my 80 eggs in this setting are 11 days and older, so prior to the next hatch I can keep those older eggs in the styro bator so their shells don't dry out, and keep them turning as well (although I am not sure that turning prior to incubating makes much difference).
I have to say I really like this lying the egg on its side idea. It makes it so much easier to candle and see the embryo...even in dark shells. Also, I think it has made it easier for me to identify clears. All of the viable eggs had the embryonic formation from end to end on one side, even when stood on end for candling. Whereas the clears (or potential clears) seem to just have a blob that moves to the top of the egg when candled. I can't say this with certainty, but its what I will be looking for the most on day 10.
I had the covers off each bator for a good 30 minutes while I candled, and both recovered completely in under 3 minutes...nice. Given how hot it is around here these days, I can't believe it could have any impact on the hatches.
My cool brown project bird at 12 days old.
