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

[Beekissed]

Bee, when I candle I usually wait until day 16 or so. On that day the difference is astounding between developed and dud. I have trouble seeing veins and motion in even lighter eggs, but after the first couple of weeks empty eggs look pretty much empty or have a hint of yolk. Developing eggs are just DARK inside around that time and the veins are VERY pronounced.

That's good to know. I'll leave my hands off of them until then and then take a quick peek. I'll just keep my sniffer handy for any suspicious odors.

It might be too early to really see anything anyway, since the lower temperatures most likely slowed down embryo growth, especially since we're not really positive when it got cold. So they could be a bit behind.

That's what I was hoping. I'm a patient woman...I can wait to see what shows up. I have high expectations for this method.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Bear in mind bee, when I say very pronounced I mean that in a pitch black cedar closet at night with no lights and the brightest LED light I own I managed to see veins around the edge of the airsac where the most light comes through. XD So by very pronounced I mean you should have a chance of seeing them under similar conditions. Also around that time sometimes you will see the aircell memberane move as the chick kicks and twitches! The biggest change though is undeveloped eggs the light goes right through... developed eggs have flesh that the light cant penetrate so they are just plain old dark inside.

Edit to say this picture is a pretty good example. Someone posted it in the hatch along thread. This is about how much I am ever able to see even at a late date. Not a lot of light gets through that egg and the veining is visible but still stupid hard to see. 9_9
http://cdn.backyardchickens.com/a/a0/a070a3e2_image.jpeg

 

[racinchickins]

I've been using an ecoglow brooder, and that allows the chicks a normal day/night cycle like your heater pad hen will. I believe it allows the transition from heat to no heat to be easier on the chicks. When I used a heat lamp, the chicks would get very agitated and stressed the first few nights with no light. Not so with the 'electric hen'. They are already used to it.

 

[Beekissed]

Bear in mind bee, when I say very pronounced I mean that in a pitch black cedar closet at night with no lights and the brightest LED light I own I managed to see veins around the edge of the airsac where the most light comes through. XD So by very pronounced I mean you should have a chance of seeing them under similar conditions. Also around that time sometimes you will see the aircell memberane move as the chick kicks and twitches! The biggest change though is undeveloped eggs the light goes right through... developed eggs have flesh that the light cant penetrate so they are just plain old dark inside.

Edit to say this picture is a pretty good example. Someone posted it in the hatch along thread. This is about how much I am ever able to see even at a late date. Not a lot of light gets through that egg and the veining is visible but still stupid hard to see. 9_9
http://cdn.backyardchickens.com/a/a0/a070a3e2_image.jpeg

I was in a very dark closet with a bright light, so I think it may be just too soon to tell....I'll definitely keep it in mind and check one egg next week or so to see if there is a mass in there. Can't imagine that all those eggs are infertile but then, I do have a sissy boy rooster.

I've been using an ecoglow brooder, and that allows the chicks a normal day/night cycle like your heater pad hen will. I believe it allows the transition from heat to no heat to be easier on the chicks. When I used a heat lamp, the chicks would get very agitated and stressed the first few nights with no light. Not so with the 'electric hen'. They are already used to it.

I've always felt that way. The very first chicks I brooded from a hatchery source, I did it indoors and kept them by the warm chimney..they only got a regular light bulb for warmth and light in the brooder and that was turned off at night after the first few nights. They did just fine and seemed to be all the stronger for it...I still have a few of those chicks up in my coop except they are very old now.

I just don't feel a light on all the time is good for any creature...darkness is important for our health, immune and reproductive systems and our sleep cycles.

 

[Beekissed]

The nest is stable on temps and everything smells good in there so far. End of the fifth day and next trouble area will be in around 8 days when there may be a possible temp spike..I'll be watching for that. Right now we have 16 days to go.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

It is a long wait.

 

[enola]

I put 3 Araucana eggs in my incubator yesterday....... yes it is a long wait......

 

[Beekissed]

Anything good is worth waiting for!

Almost everything takes a long time out here in the country, so we get used to waiting. I like a slow paced life.

I gave the eggs an airing out this morning while the "broody" stretched her legs, ate and drank, had a broody poop....figuratively speaking.

Then I misted the feathers to simulate a broody that had gotten dew or snow wetness on her belly as she foraged and walked about, and closed it back up. Will play the broody song for them tonight when I turn the eggs.

 

[Peep-Chicken]

Anything good is worth waiting for!    Almost everything takes a long time out here in the country, so we get used to waiting.  I like a slow paced life. 

I gave the eggs an airing out this morning while the "broody" stretched her legs, ate and drank, had a broody poop....figuratively speaking.     Then I misted the feathers to simulate a broody that had gotten dew or snow wetness on her belly as she foraged and walked about, and closed it back up.  Will play the broody song for them tonight when I turn the eggs. 

I never would have thought to do that!

 

[ozexpat]