She said/He said Who's right? Who's wrong? No one!

[FridayYet]

I rarely even candle, but I can answer that question. Tracking air cells is your perception of what you see compared to a chart that has been drawn. Weighing eggs is more "accurate" because you are using known numbers that can be measured to achieve an ideal percentage of weight loss. I can't give an opinion on which has better results, because I don't do either one

LOL -

Do you have another batch in the bator yet?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I rarely even candle, but I can answer that question. Tracking air cells is your perception of what you see compared to a chart that has been drawn. Weighing eggs is more "accurate" because you are using known numbers that can be measured to achieve an ideal percentage of weight loss. I can't give an opinion on which has better results, because I don't do either one

 

[scflock]

LOL - 

Do you have another batch in the bator yet?

set another batch of BCM last sunday

 

[scflock]

You're welcome

 

[AmyLynn2374]

set another batch of BCM last sunday

Parade this time???? Please???? Coddle/cuddle/kiss whatever it takes.......

 

[chicapee]

WAY behind with all my travel...

Stopped at home long enough to swap clothes and put eggs in lockdown.

2 project turkey in the Polyhatch at 66%, 3 Narragansett in a Brinsea 20 at 72%. Air cells are drawing down nicely.

The Brinsea had varied a little from my previously set temp, from 99.5 to 99.2. A twitch of the knob brought it to 100.2. I twitched it back hoping it settles by morning.

I cant wait to see pics of your turklets.

I really want to incubate some more big ones, bigger than the Royal Palms. But I have sterilized and packed all bators away until spring.

Jay would kill me if I got it all out again. I think he likes to be able to walk into the pantry.

@ozexpat are you becoming stuffy? ha ha ha this post made me chuckle! I quite enjoy Oz's dry humor and straight forwardness. I respect him for it, I agree with him that his thread is his tale and an enjoyable read, his Diary to be shared! He is quite the busy man for idle chat, but he and I both enjoy good conversation, we tend to enjoy educational discussions that can help others along with our own endeavors. Love that man so much can you tell? He is a supportive, knowledgeable, and loving friend from our first private message. Anyway... carry on BYC is a forum! Thats why its here and anyone that knows me knows I am a goofball here to help when I can. Unfortunately last year took its toll on my body and now the good Lord is helping me to carry on and get back into my life! How have you been @lazy gardener

I missed BYC and everyone here, I had to spread into some health support groups for a while to help me understand my health, healing and to be honest, just needed help coping with the depression illness can bring. Sunshine was being lost very fast for me, I need help bringing that sunshine back!

Please never do that, but have caution.... those mods

ha ha ha

ps...
I do love BYC Mods, imagine having to deal with all these people and posts, imagine all that reading! My son would cringe LOL
KUDOS to the Mods for keeping it safe for my daughter to be on here too! Everyone should thank a Mod!

Hoping you get to feeling 100% very soon. I was in the hospital last year having every test under the sun, even cardiac cath . They were even discussing inserting a pacemaker.

Turns out I have had Lupus since I was 10, previously undiagnosed. Taking plaquenil the antimalarial med I haven't felt this good in decades.

K yall, I'm still at a cross roads, don't know what I should do, so I want to ask for a few more opininons. The DAC's (detached/loose air cells) should I let them rest in the incubator, fat end straight up, for a couple days or keep the turner going and hope for the best or let the DAC's rest and keep turning the good eggs by hand or... any other suggestions? It's day 5, 1 pm today starts day 6 which is in 4 hours. From the research I did online last night it seems these guys chances are grim and very slim to none so I'm thinking it may not be worth the struggle and the stress to the other eggs to move them all around. I'm thinking leave them in the turner and hope for the best but wanted to hear a few more opinions.

I think I would leave them in the turner now. If the air cells reattach they usually will by day 12. I had one on the last shipment that was detached and saddled, it was rock solid by day 12 and hatched unassisted.

Welcome to the thread!

I've heard a lot about you, and hope you will post some. I'm always skirting that mod line

, but this thread turns on a dime when a serious question is posted.
If laughter will help bring the Sunshine back, this is the place to be

I might have the rep, but it's Friday. You and WV better behave

I was thinking yesterday was friday.

I understand your concern, and feel for you. We all want perfect hatches. But we learn as we go, we offer advice and support to others, and we try and try again. It is never easy to lose a chick, or figure out something that you feel like you should have known before... but you didn't know, so you can't beat yourself up about it! You are learning, so I would bet my bottom dollar that you will check air cells on your next set... right? So, lesson learned..... see what works or doesn't work this time, and use what you figure out to your advantage next time.

(I'm still wondering if not rotating my tray for the full 3 weeks will have any effect, but I'm not worried about it. If it has an effect, then I'll know better for next time!)

So here's my updates:

1) I was supposed to tell everyone that if we tag Sally she will drop in to say hi. (I gave her the inside scoop about the thread so she's prepared)! But my morning was so busy she beat me to it!

2) I woke up and the little quail was still alive and peeping! But his feet were curled. Now I know that he's just a quail. $2 for a dozen eggs. But any experience I gain can be directly applied to chickens that I hatch! So all experience is valuable to me. So I made him little tape booties and he's doing great! It was a real challenge to make them since he's so tiny!!

Off to set the rest of the eggs!!!

Looking forward to seeing a great hatch.

Ok, everyone, next ?, lol. How long can eggs be out of the bator before harm I'd done. It's about 75 to 76° in my house, the bathroom may be closer to 80 which is where I'll be candling. I was advised to candle and write down which eggs have loose or completely detached cells and any other damage I might see so I'm wondering how much of a time crunch I'm on?

When I candle they can be out upto 15-20 mins depending on how many.

I think the thought of cooler weather may mean sales will pick back up. My phone has been ringing off the hook for silkies today

Good thing, too. Those little hootchie mamas started hatching again yesterday

May you be drowning in greenbacks.

Okay, y'all,
Since my broody hen decided to no longer set eggs on the very day I decided to put 6 new ones under her, I had to fire up the Hova-bator after a lot of years. Tomorrow's the 7th day; I haven't even had the lid off since I put the eggs into the turner rack, pointy end down, of course. Temp's been a constant 99+/- from the get-go (according to 2 thermometers in 2 different locations), the water channels were partially filled (prior to seeing Amy's post regarding dry incubation), and both vents are open. No clue what the humidity is yet; still waiting on a hygrometer.

I'll candle tomorrow. Assuming no obvious abnormalities, my plan is to maintain the status quo (essentially hands-off) til the 18th day, when I'll add water, possibly in the form of a sponge, if need be. Other than that, I'll let the auto turner & Ma Nature handle it.

I dug the brooder out of the barn this morning. I'll be busy this afternoon getting rid of 20 years worth of dust accumulation on it & getting it situated in the back room, alongside the incubator, til time to fire it up. My only question at this point is what should the brooder temp be?

That would be 95 decreasing by 5 degrees a week. Hoping for a great hatch.

Well this "girl" could probably handle all 17!

(I'm going to be terribly embarrassed if I figure out this weekend that those eggs are coming from LO's!!)

I dub her "Boy George"

Looks just like it. When I lived in the uk I was the director of nursing in a prison that he was incarcerated in. Naughty Boy George.

If I were you, I'd put that brooder lamp back in moth balls and go buy a Sunbeam XPress extra large heating pad and do a HP brooder cave. You'll have chicks that are much happier! You'll be happier too.
Did you really mean out of the incubator for up to 2 weeks? More info please.

Just got in from the garden, tearing a lot of stuff out so I can prep for next year. Took Jack and 3 of the girls with me to help - they stuffed themselves on grasshoppers and other bugs!

Brought in a few of my Sandia Hot chiles and roasted them over the burner - once they are done steaming we'll have egg burritos for lunch.

Hope everyone is having a good day!

I need to be working my garden too, but its just so hot.

I just got word that a doz eggs I shipped got received without any breaks, cracks or air cell damage at all!

Great news. I wouldn't doubt it.

Thanks! From TN to UT... not a big hop, but the ones to CA did well too...

I will be excited to see how the cali ones do?

Yes definitely some are worse than others, Airtravel, packing, and so many things...
HOWEVER.... I will always believe that its the person who sends the eggs fault and the AGE/health of the laying hens (which in turn is the sellers fault too)

....
OMG DID I JUST SAY THAT!!! Now I am starting trouble again...... AGAIN....I will get into actual packing and shipping at some other time...


We did a test here, and you may want to try it as well so you understand how tough an egg REALLY IS!

we shook 5 eggs that were just laid (lets call it day one fresh out of the hens kisser)
we shook 5 eggs two days old
we shook 5 eggs, 3,4,5,6,and 7 days old..... (all hens at 12 months old)

What happened or DIDNT happen would surprise many...

Now we all should know that during egg storage, the physical/chemical changes of the yolk and albumen are affected and PH increases each day which leads to weakness of the membrane etc.
With this in mind, days 1-4 eggs are VERY VERY VERY VERY HARD TO SHAKE THE AIR CELL LOOSE. And I am talking arm weakening attempts. (my kids couldnt even shake them loose!)
So after doing this little testing you too will realize that FRESH EGGS from a good healthy laying hen is the FIRST important part of shipping an egg......

I have posted many times about shaking an egg... not sure anyone ever did it and come back to chat with me!


Gotta run kiddos say its pool time on their day off!

Great information. I agree with the age of the eggs and shaking loose. The older they are the more deterioration will have occurred allowing for aircells to detach that much more easily. My hatch before last with shipped eggs had just that very problem. Plus they were covered in **it!

 

[scflock]

Parade this time???? Please????  Coddle/cuddle/kiss whatever it takes.......

They put the lotion on their skin

 

[chicapee]

Parade this time???? Please???? Coddle/cuddle/kiss whatever it takes.......

I totally agree, do what ever it takes to get those chickies out alive and kicking. Pretty plurleez with bells on!

 

[chicapee]

They put the lotion on their skin

Yep that too!

 

[scflock]

I totally agree, do what ever it takes to get those chickies out alive and kicking. Pretty plurleez with bells on! 

You might want to talk to them. Im doing all I can