Simulated Natural Nest Incubation~Experiment #1 So it begins....

[enola]

I choose eggs that are normal shaped and size large if possible. Also the egg must be of the normal "egg" shape. Larger on one and pointed on the other.

(I don't know if this applies to your breeds of chickens or not) Another rule of thumb I follow - if the chickens I am breeding are not the same breed, I try to make sure the rooster is not MONSTROUS in size. Thus avoiding chicks that out grow the inside of their egg.

I avoid pullet eggs at all cost.

 

[foxvalleyfarm]

... Wow... Im so so sorry Bee

 

[Beekissed]

I choose eggs that are normal shaped and size large if possible. Also the egg must be of the normal "egg" shape. Larger on one and pointed on the other.

(I don't know if this applies to your breeds of chickens or not) Another rule of thumb I follow - if the chickens I am breeding are not the same breed, I try to make sure the rooster is not MONSTROUS in size. Thus avoiding chicks that out grow the inside of their egg.

I avoid pullet eggs at all cost.

How about the age of the hen? Extremely old gals? The last nest had three eggs from my 6 yr old NH and one from my 6 yr old WR and none of them made it past the 3 rd day. Only one of my younger WRs eggs~large, smooth, full and pretty~were fertilized and made it clear to the end...and those are the ones I want most for hatching.

The eggs I've gathered in the past two days are large, perfectly shaped and clean as a whistle...the rooster has been mating his fool head off and I'm getting peak laying out of all birds. This should be the best nest that I'll ever get. When I get the nest set I'll take a close up pic of all the eggs in the bunch and you guys can tell me if you spot any problem eggs..I'll mark them and we'll see how far they go.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

I choose eggs that are normal shaped and size large if possible. Also the egg must be of the normal "egg" shape. Larger on one and pointed on the other.

(I don't know if this applies to your breeds of chickens or not) Another rule of thumb I follow - if the chickens I am breeding are not the same breed, I try to make sure the rooster is not MONSTROUS in size. Thus avoiding chicks that out grow the inside of their egg.

I avoid pullet eggs at all cost.

What's a "pullet egg"? Why avoid?

 

[enola]

I have hatched eggs from hens that are 4 years old. I candle ALL eggs before putting them in the incubator, looking for hair line cracks or other defects. Usually fertility problems with older chickens concerns roosters, at least in my experience.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

So older hens lay more successful eggs? Ok. Yes I can see that. And older roosters could be firing blanks. That fits with my experience.

 

[fisherlady]

Quote:
a pullet is a very young hen, just starting to lay.... it is widely accepted that their reproductive system is still 'working out the kinks' so they are more prone to double yolks, sometimes no yolk or other physical defects such as odd shaping or porous shells... all which can have a negative effect on the eggs. So for the first month or two they are often referred to as 'pullet eggs'

My favorite use for pullet eggs is pickled eggs!

Edit to clarify.... I am sure there are plenty of pullet eggs which have been successfully brooded, I am just stating my preference to avoid them if I have other choices so I reduce the likely hood of a dud egg because of the higher risks involved.

 

[fisherlady]

I choose eggs that are normal shaped and size large if possible. Also the egg must be of the normal "egg" shape. Larger on one and pointed on the other.

(I don't know if this applies to your breeds of chickens or not) Another rule of thumb I follow - if the chickens I am breeding are not the same breed, I try to make sure the rooster is not MONSTROUS in size. Thus avoiding chicks that out grow the inside of their egg.

I avoid pullet eggs at all cost.

Same here on choices... only other thing I would add is that I avoid eggs which look very porous. I am leery of them being more prone to breaking in the nest or becoming easily infected because the thinner areas of the shell are weak points in the 'defense system' of the egg.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

Okay thanks and good to know.

 

[Beekissed]

Same here on choices... only other thing I would add is that I avoid eggs which look very porous. I am leery of them being more prone to breaking in the nest or becoming easily infected because the thinner areas of the shell are weak points in the 'defense system' of the egg.

Which ones look more porous to you? The second nest had a very porous egg when candled but the surface was silky smooth, no coloration differences and a hard, firm shell. How do you spot the porous ones? I always thought the ones with a rougher exterior would be more porous but upon candling all these eggs I found out differently.