Setting eggs on 7/15/2011 anyone want to join me

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi RowellFowl! Don't be too discouraged. I had ants invade my 'broody barn' and the hens fixed the problem themselves --- by scratching and tearing up the nests (destroying the eggs) and eating the ants. Kind of my fault, because I don't treat for ants (I try not to use pesticides unless as a last resort) until I see ants and I missed the signs.
There were 9 hens on 10 - 12 eggs each.
It's "just another ordinary miracle today".
I've got 2 Serama, a blue Plymouth Rock, a black Ameraucana out from eggs set the 2nd (must've set them late evening and hatch is just getting started). And 2 Ancona ducklings hatched this morning. The Ancona were set 6/23 and the only salvaged eggs from all the eggs in the 'broody barn' --- I stuck them in the incubator, then hatcher and hoped for the best.
Good luck, everybody!

 

[the1honeycomb]

OK question, I seem to have eggs at different stages under my only brooder. what should I do most of the eggs are due 8/5 but some of them (3) are at least a week further along it apears!! what to do? I don't want her to get up when they are here and skip the rest of the eggs!!

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi! Take the chicks as they hatch (as soon as possible) and move them to a heated brooder. You will need to hand-raise them (give them heat, food, and water in the brooder). The hen should stay on the remaining eggs. When those later eggs hatch, you can *try* to give her the older chicks (to add to the new ones). The broody may or may not take them.
Good luck!

Lisa
edited to add: That's not the 'only' way to do it, but the way I'd do it if I wanted to let the hen hatch all the eggs and raise all the chicks.
Here, I take all the chicks and raise them in a brooder and the hen goes on about her way when she gets over being broody.
Good luck!

 

[the1honeycomb]

COOL!!!Thanks!!

I have another question one of the eggs broke should I clean it off or is it aright to leave it.??

some of the eggs feel oily
I have 15 eggs under a broody hen and she seems to be doing great but the eggs are oily and today I found one of them in a different nest!!! she is the only hen sitting so not sure what is going on! plan on candling tonite!
[raying for lots of wigglers~!!!
My first hatch everything was stable and very different, and the chicks are great!!
Thanks for your help

 

[sgoff]

I re=candled the questionable eggs and found a couple more viable ones. The question-ables are staying in until later in the week. If they are still questionable, I will discard them then. I am stoked that I was able to add a couple to the viable column!

@ChristieRha--- you have more will power than I!!!! I gotta know!!!

 

[Lark Rise]

I hadn't intended to candle so soon, but woke up this morning to a smell in the Brinsea. Found the leaking culprit and out it went. Since I was going to quickly disinfect the incubator, I candled.

2 clears, 2 blood rings, all the rest looked good....so we're down to :

10 BBS Ameraucanas
3 backyard mix

which is fine because I really only am hoping for 6-8.
So all's well here.

Good luck everyone!

 

[Christie Rhae]

How are things looking everyone? I think I have 7+ eggs developing as they should be. All I can really see is the air cell. The rest of the egg is very dark. I am not going to bust out my moster LED light to try and see movement. Just want to let them alone as much as possible. But those 7 or 8 eggs look really good. Right on track. I am more optimistic about this batch of eggs than any so far. Come on babies!!

 

[the1honeycomb]

So eggcited!! Most of my eggs are viable and I have 3 that will hatch early! Just purchased a group of Silkies, on of them had a clutch of chicks will see if she will take the new ones.
Due date 8/6!! Yeehaa!!

 

[Rowell Fowl]

Of the 14 original eggs, 1 was broken on day one and at first candling it looked like we only had 3 developing. Candled again today and removed the obviously dud ones (easier to see in the white eggs than the dark brown ones), including one which had cracked. Looks like we are down to 2 good ones but have put some of the questionable ones back under my broody as I am no expert and have read SO many posts where people have had surprise chicks from eggs they thought were not viable. These last few days are going to be LONG - I have promised myself (and my children) that I won't touch them again now. Looking forward to the end of the week and lots of good news and pictures from you all - Good Luck!

 

[LoveMyChicklets]

Well I'm a little discouraged! I candled last night and out of the 8 Polish eggs I purchased only 3 developed! These 3 look good but the others never did a thing - GRRRRRRR! Either they weren't fertile or ??? All of my own eggs (EEs) are looking awesome though. I am PRAYING these 3 polish hatch out. If not I am going to be super mad.