Starting a hatch September 21....hatch along?

[Tanichca]

I'm candling my 23 eggs tonight! I'm so excited!!

 

[itsren]

grr...

I'm down to 4 embryos for the $55 I payed... I hate buying shipped eggs, but I don't think there is any other way to get these birds. I've contacted tons of breeders, and it seems nearly everyone has given up on the silver laced cochin bantams, but they are soo beautiful if they are bred right.

I'm sorry. I was too nervous to buy shipped eggs for that very reason. I almost did - I want pure-bred Light Brahmas. But, I ended up with a mix of "mutt" chickens to attempt to hatch for my first hatch. I traded unfertilized eggs for fertilized ones. That's why my eggs were refrigerated - the family was planning to eat them.

How many eggs did you start out with?

 

[cochins1088]

I'm sorry. I was too nervous to buy shipped eggs for that very reason. I almost did - I want pure-bred Light Brahmas. But, I ended up with a mix of "mutt" chickens to attempt to hatch for my first hatch. I traded unfertilized eggs for fertilized ones. That's why my eggs were refrigerated - the family was planning to eat them.

How many eggs did you start out with?

I ordered 12+ eggs and only one developed, I told her this and she was nice enough to send me replacement eggs, but only 4 of these are developing. These are going to be the first birds that I will actually be taking the breeding seriously, so first I need a breeding stock. I want to keep a male and 3-4 females and my hopes were too hatch out more than that so I can pick the best of the bunch, but obvioulsy that won't be happening. I'm tempted to buy more eggs because I want these birds so bad, but I'm worried I will only waste another $50 for nothing. I noticed WELP hatchery sells them, but something tell me they will be very poor quality since professional breeders can't even get them to top standards and since this will be my first time breeding seriously, I figured I should start with something of decent quality. I'm not sure what I'm going to do at this point.

The brahmas are very pretty, I keep one dark brahma rooster and he's a sweet heart. And yes, for your first time incubating you should start with something cheap. I have hatched many times before with amazing rates around 95%, but these shipped eggs are driving me insane... I definately wouldn't start out with shipped eggs. But do try it sometime if light brahmas are what you want. Some people have amazing luck with them, others don't, it's a game of chance with the US postal service.

Good luck with your eggs! Even if they are mutts, hatching little chicks is so exciting! I just love candling and of course the best part, watching them hatch and knowing that you are the one that gave them life.

 

[Tanichca]

Well, candled just a bit ago. Out of 23eggs, 14 (!!!) are developing nicely, which, considering some of these eggs were over a week old by the time they went into the bator, and most of the hens were about to moult anyway, isn't too bad. Unfortunately, none of my rosecomb eggs had developed. Sad. Well, I'll be selling these babies and a few adults, and I'll just buy a new pair.

 

[GVChickenMan]

Guess I couldn't wait for the cream legbars to hatch! Yesterday we went out and picked up a trio of Mille Fleur Barb D'Uccles and this weekend we're getting 8 ex-battery hens to rehome.

Hmmmm..... where to put everyone..??

 

[Tanichca]

Guess I couldn't wait for the cream legbars to hatch!  Yesterday we went out and picked up a trio of Mille Fleur Barb D'Uccles and this weekend we're getting 8 ex-battery hens to rehome.

Hmmmm..... where to put everyone..?? 

Been there... I guess it's just that danged chicken math again!

 

[Nelson-90]

ok i got a couple of eggs in a broody hen she has been doing an awesome job im going candeling tonight they should be hatching next saturday im so exited this is my first hatch i know they are going to be a bunch of mutts but it dont matter

 

[FarmMomof3]

This is fun!! I have 11 days to go until hatch day.
I do have a question though. From Oct 5th- 8th We are going to be away. Is it alright that the eggs don't get turned during these days? If i make sure the water in the incubator is high enough (I'm using a Brinsea Mini Eco) when we leave (which will be Oct 4th at like 10 pm) do you think it will hold them until we get home?

Thoughts?

Sorry guys.. i hate you annoy you all.. but i really need to know what to do here.. I'm leaving in 2 days and i need to know if i can leave the eggs without turning them for 4 days.... Please your thoughts?

 

[cochins1088]

I tried to answer you, it's in my post on page 6 in the middle section, sorry. I sort of jumbled 3 different things together. Anyways, so you don't have to go searching, here is what I said, "What days will october 5th through 8th be for you? The first days are the most important, if they will be after 10 days, they should be fine. We have a seasonal, so we are camping almost every weekend and I leave my eggs unturned for those 2 days however many times with no negative effects." So more than likely you will be just fine if you are about day 10 or after. Good Luck with your eggs!

 

[FarmMomof3]

Oct 5th-8th are days 15-18 of my hatch....so i guess we'll be alright then.