Should I toss them???

[sojeo]

Today is day 23 and I am totally bummed.

I know that my temps were low (have now got 3 thermometers in there) so I thought that they may be late, but now I noticed a slight smell.

I gave each one a sniff test and 3 of the 7 remaining eggs have an odor. Not totally unpleasant, but it is definitely there. Should I toss them? They also just happen to be the green ones that I can't see into very well, but I did see in enough on day 18 to know that there was still great veining.

I've pretty much lost hope on these eggs, it's been such a ride, excited about seeing the growth and then down because of all the loses and now with only 7 left I'm pretty down about the whole thing. The kids are staying positive, but I have a sneaking feeling that it will not happen for them. As you can probably tell, this is my first time.

 

[TriciaHowe]

I would candle before I tossed but it isn't sounding promising

 

[ShadyGlade]

There is a definite odor to developing eggs. It's the difference between the smell of raw egg & live wet chick. I probably wouldn't toss anything that didn't smell like rotted egg. Especially if your temps might have run low then you could just be looking at a late hatch.

 

[sonew123]

how about this...I candeled an egg on my 10th day-looked like a blood ring to my husband and we couldn't agree-but we agreed to leave it in and just see...well guess who hatched last night!! yup the one he was going to throw away!!! another gorgeous BO..Day I would wait..

 

[sojeo]

Ok, so I candled them and I only saw movement in one. There are a couple of iffy ones, some veins, but not many that I can see as if they mostly disappeared. One was a stinkier than the rest and I threw that one out, but the other mildy smelly ones I left in. I'm tempted to run down to the feed store right now and buy myself an incubator and then beg my neighbor to sell me some more eggs!

I so wanted this to happen!

 

[jhart101]

I wouldn't give up just yet...check temps and humidity and give another 24 hours or longer even...espec. if movement.

 

[cackle]

Quote:
How are you hatching without an incubator?

 

[sojeo]

I made my own with a cooler based on verbal instructions from this guy that I get duck eggs from for my artwork (see avatar). Now, I foolishly went ahead and made it before doing more research and I am having problems keeping up the humidity and it turned out my thermometer was off. I now have 3 in there, but didn't realize until 2/3 of the way through, hence the latetness? Since then I have seen the instructions on this site which are great, but I have decided to just go buy myself one, the hovabator without turner. I also just got off the phone with a couple of my egg suppliers and they have promised to set aside a couple dozen eggs, including some brahmas, banties, and the ones with the feather tops. Too cute! So, I am going to make this happen! I am even more determined now and losing all this batch won't be so bad. Oh, forgot, I also ordered 6 chicks from the feed store coming in June, so I'm hopefully going to have lots!

 

[sojeo]

I have a new question now about the eggs that I am going to receive. One batch will be ready for me in a couple days, the other guy said he'd have them for me in a week or two. Do I just follow the regular routine with the first batch despite the second batch being in there as well? I think I've heard this called a staggered hatch. Will the 3-5 days of high humidity affect the ones that are behind?

 

[cackle]

thanks I was wondering what you were using. I have the Brinsea Eco 20 with turner and love it. My 2nd batch is hatching in the other room.

As for the staggered batch hopefully someone can help. I have only used the brinsea and it is small so I won't be staggering hatches.

I love the hand painted egg in your avatar. You do beautiful work.

Susan