Shipped eggs - Detached air cells! What can I do to give them the best chance?!?

[Blueeyez]

I received my 14 eggs in the mail today, and thanks to the not so gentle handling by USPS one was cracked and the other 13 all had detached air cells! What can I do to give them the best chance? I don't have an incubator, just two broody hens desperate for something other than golf balls to sit on...... I read on another thread to put them all pointy end down in a carton and leave them perfectly still for 24hrs and you have about a 25% hatch rate, anyone know how true this is? I would love to hear any suggestions, advice or previous experiences! Thanks

 

[ChickNanny13]

I haven't had any experience with shipped eggs but have read as you have about putting them in an egg carton, pointy side down for at least 24hrs. Hope the more experienced will peep in .....

@Alaskan @Sally Sunshine
Thank you in advance

 

[Alaskan]

Humm

I have never tried to put detached aircell eggs under a broody. They do better being incubated upright in a carton, and very gently rotated just side to side. (Tilt one way, then the other)

Soooooooo. If you don't want to buy or borrow an incubator...

I agree, stand them upright for 24hrs then hope and hand them to the broodies.

Maybe see if you can get some local fertile eggs to add to the set? Or fertile eggs from Trader Joes?

 

[BirdGirl2004]

Yes, I agree with @ChickNanny13! I would point them pointy side down for at least 24 hours!! Last time that I hatched out some chicks, I didn't know about keeping them pointed side down or anything like that... and I had them stay in a carton for about 7 days (didn't know wether they were pointy side down or not... and I got a 85% hatch rate. I would be TOO concerned about it, but I would definitely put it pointy side down for awhile just to give them the best chance.
Hope this helps!
When the mama does hatch them out, will you send us some pics?? I would just LOVE to see the babies!!!

Good luck!

 

[Blueeyez]

Thank y'all for your opinions! Do y'all think better off giving them another 24hrs or should I go ahead with giving them to my broody girls tonight? I wasn't sure if being perfectly still for 48hrs would be better for the air cells or worse overall because eggs shouldn't REALLY be perfectly still that long? Lol

 

[Alaskan]

One set of at least 24 hours standing up, and yes, being still, should be good.

Then go ahead and hand them to the broodies.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Update us on your Broody hatch
We seeing pictures of those cute fluff balls
and helps others with shipped eggs & detach air cell issues Learning is why I joined. Have learned BYC Members are helpful & informative with all their experiences Fun place to meet others & see so many beautiful chickens

 

[Blueeyez]

I will definitely keep everyone posted! Thanks again

 

[song of joy]

I've been able to get about a 25% hatch rate on shipped eggs with detached air cells by letting them sit upright (pointy side down) for 24 hours before incubation, followed by incubating them upright with no turning for the first 5 to 6 days (so developing blood vessels can stabilize the egg contents), followed by placing them on their sides and turning them until lock-down.

I'd recommend candling the eggs on day 10 of incubation to check for and remove early quitters, which are very common with shipped eggs.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

I've been able to get about a 25% hatch rate on shipped eggs with detached air cells by letting them sit upright (pointy side down) for 24 hours before incubation, followed by incubating them upright with no turning for the first 5 to 6 days (so developing blood vessels can stabilize the egg contents), followed by placing them on their sides and turning them until lock-down.

I'd recommend candling the eggs on day 10 of incubation to check for and remove early quitters, which are very common with shipped eggs.

Do you also do the hokey pokey?