I agree with the differences between the shipped and non-shipped. For example...I put 6 of my own eggs in 1 was not fertile so out of 5 fertile I hatched 4 babies. Speckledhen sent me 12, 3 of which were not fertile, 1 questionable...I thought I saw veins in one but am not positive. So take those 4 out of the equation, so 8 were fertile, I hatched 4. So about 50% on my shipped eggs, which I am still thrilled over.
I did have to add water more than most probably, on average I would be almost completely dry in the 1 channel during the first 17 days, every 2 days. In the last 3 days however, I only added water to the sponge 3 times. I took Speckledhen's advise and found the biggest sponge (surface wise) that I could then I filled all three channels in the bator with water. Altitude I am around 1800 feet, less than Cyn so I would not think altitude would be an issue.
The EE baby was drier than the Delaware or the orp. The delaware was the wettest of the three. But the Delaware was the only one showing movement, strong movement early Day 23. The orp had expired between Day 18 and 22 as with the EE. Both had good movement on Day 18 just before lockdown. I kind of regret not helping baby delaware...Cyn and I spoke on the phone about how to make a small hole in the end to help baby get air, I guess I did not make a large enough hole or did not get through the membrane completely because I lost that baby. Then again, it may not have mattered at that point.
I truly wonder what would have happened had the eggs gotten here in 2 days and the broody had accepted them rather than 3 days to arrive and having to wait through the weekend for the bator to arrive.
