Setting eggs today...20th May...anyone else?

[loopy12]

Sounds like an abcess then. Especially as so painful. Ask the vet if he could advise you on draining it yourself maybe. Do you have anything to numb its skin if you do and some helping hands to hold him? Wouldn't be pleasant for anyone of course, least of all Disco.

 

[Alaskan]

Ack! Ashem, it can't be something easy like just her crop?

 

[loopy12]

Looks like it extends onto her shoulder though Alaskan...

I candled...day 15. Gutted to find 3 quitters. Down to 13 eggs now. All 13 were wriggling, but some looked further along than others, so bit nervous about the less well developed ones. Beginning to think the breeder's not doing a great job on nutrition for his hens. 17 failed out of 30, so far. And it the last few days I normally think give the biggest losses...thinking 6 chicks out of these eggs will be a miracle...

 

[loopy12]

I don't know now. Looking at the 2nd and 3rd pictures again, maybe Alaskan's right. Are you sure its not the crop Ashem?
Take the food away and see if it goes down over the next 6 hours. Is it pooping ok? No pasty bum, right?

 

[ashem0]

So, after reading your suggestions (and very good ones they were), I googled impacted crop! Watched some videos of how to assist the bird clear it, I set up a space to do it in front of the fire so she would not get cold... blad-de-blah-blah.... I went in to get Disco from the brooder box.... and lo and behold the lump is entirely gone!!!

So I did not have to do any disgusting things to make her regurgitate!

Alaskan - I think you hit the nail on the head. An impacted crop. I'm wondering if I helped to unblock it yesterday when I was moving her about for the photos? At least I know what to do if it happens again, and in hind sight I think I've seen this in one of my girls before, but didn't realise what it was. So nice to have an answer. And so nice that Disco didn't starve. I'm hoping now I will see her thrive quickly.

Should I give her some grit? To avoid it re-occurring or is she too young for that?

Once again... glad you guys are on the other end of this thread!

 

[ashem0]

Looks like it extends onto her shoulder though Alaskan...

I candled...day 15. Gutted to find 3 quitters. Down to 13 eggs now. All 13 were wriggling, but some looked further along than others, so bit nervous about the less well developed ones. Beginning to think the breeder's not doing a great job on nutrition for his hens. 17 failed out of 30, so far. And it the last few days I normally think give the biggest losses...thinking 6 chicks out of these eggs will be a miracle...

Loopy12 - that is quite a devastating cull you've had to date. It seems there is definitely a difference in the quality of breeders around. I'm happy so far with my Marans eggs - 5/6 appear to be growing and for posted eggs that's an excellent rate, so hopefully I will achieve 2-3 healthy chicks. Obviously not so happy with my IB rate of 1/6 - but I live and learn... quickly! I hope you've not had to cull any of your Mille's? I found a breeder here in Australia for them who posts fertile eggs... I'm very tempted! Emma.

 

[ashem0]

Has anyone else candled lately?

 

[Amykins]

Has anyone else candled lately?

Right here. XD

I'm on day 14. Here are my little wiggle-beans!

 

[CGinJCMO]

Has anyone else candled lately?

No, waiting for hatching...trying not to disturb my broody hen by opening the door a lot (I even padlocked it so kids wouldn't bother her either. I would like to see but since i can't see in the shell very good anyway, it would possibly do more harm than good.

CG

 

[ashem0]

Lovely healthy looking eggs Amykins!