Texas

Incubation question:

Veins mean development? If the egg is not fertile or not developing, there will be no veins but if there are veins than you have fertility and development?

I candled a little early, the few that I didn't figure were fertile are still pretty clear but I'm going to give them until at least Monday, which would be day 7. I'm excited that for the most part, shipped eggs included, I'm getting development. I do have a few saddle shaped air cells in the shipped eggs but I've read that's normal and I will mark them and keep a close eye one them during hatch.

Yep veins mean development
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!!! Yes, I would do that also and not toss anything until at least day 7 (I usually do 10 days). Congrats, can't wait to see pics
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Take one gallon plastic milk or tea jugs and cut them open to leave the handle and to where they can still hold about half a gallon or so and set them under edge of bushes or trees in the shade. Use a two gallon plant waterer to put fresh water in. Depending on size of flock how many you put out and it also keeps them from walking in it.

David

Great idea!!!
 
Incubation question:

Veins mean development? If the egg is not fertile or not developing, there will be no veins but if there are veins than you have fertility and development?

I candled a little early, the few that I didn't figure were fertile are still pretty clear but I'm going to give them until at least Monday, which would be day 7. I'm excited that for the most part, shipped eggs included, I'm getting development. I do have a few saddle shaped air cells in the shipped eggs but I've read that's normal and I will mark them and keep a close eye one them during hatch.

yes veins mean development...I have been at day 5 and 6 with no clear veins and the next day saw the little spider web!
 
Take one gallon plastic milk or tea jugs and cut them open to leave the handle and to where they can still hold about half a gallon or so and set them under edge of bushes or trees in the shade. Use a two gallon plant waterer to put fresh water in. Depending on size of flock how many you put out and it also keeps them from walking in it.

David
Cool idea and I could tie the handle part to the fence or bush limb. We have 16 large birds, 4 bantams and currently 11 chicks in the brooder. They use alot of water. the chicks use over a quart a day. thanks for the idea.
 
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Eggs are "cheaper" than chicks, but that can change if you have a poor or zero hatch rate. I have hatched a good number of eggs and the stress just put me through roof so much responsibility, but at the same time it was so rewarding. If you want them ready for the summer, better start now
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Eggs are "cheaper" than chicks, but that can change if you have a poor or zero hatch rate. I have hatched a good number of eggs and the stress just put me through roof so much responsibility, but at the same time it was so rewarding. If you want them ready for the summer, better start now
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Yep - right on there. I sent some eggs to a friend in Maine. They were all intact, not a one had a crack in them. But almost all of them had the air cells detached so they must have gotten some pretty good shaking by the mail people.
 
You are right on that one...I have two jug water stations...been trying the little drinker cups but they can't seem to figure out how to peck the little float to refill the cups.  I also keep a shallow pan in their yard.  Several of them seem to like walking thru it.  Not the best for drinking tho.  I know it's gonna be tough this summer so going to buy a shallow kiddy pool and put it about half way in the ground and put a rubber bathmat in the bottom.  I think that will help keep them cool and have plenty to drink.



That's a good idea, sticking it in the ground
 
What are you hatching? We've started talking about buying an incubator. I looked at the one that...umm can't remember who...had bought I think it's Innovator. We like that one. Anyway I was wonder more about ordering eggs? Are they cheaper than chicks? Do you have to order alot? Are they guaranteed to be fertile? How do they ship I would think they would break? Whoa that's alot of questions but I'm kind of excited about trying hatching. I would guess that spring is the best time so chicks would be ready for the summer. Thanks Magpie
I bought hatching eggs from a BYC member, forums/buy, sell, trade/hatching eggs. Her member name is CatKai, the eggs are silkied ameraucana eggs. She was awesome with answering the silly amount of questions I had. She's also from Texas.
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It was $40.50 for a dozen eggs, with shipping. They were packed perfectly. None were broken. When I candle on Monday I will take notes and document how many are showing veins, air cells and so on, today I just got to excited and didn't write anything down! I think there might have been 1 egg that didn't show development from her group BUT I don't remember for sure and its still to early to judge. There are a couple with weird air cells but that's more than likely from shipping and the fact I didn't let them sit. Any negative results from this hatch will be 100% on me. I'm trying not to over think it. I probably should have skipped the shipped eggs and just used our own for the first few hatches but I loved her birds and I'm a huge impulse shopper. All of the items put up by the registers at stores, those are there for me...
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I'm using a Farm Innovators 4200 with fan and turner. Not knowing exactly what I'm doing or having anything to compare it to, I like it. I wish I would have just waited and ordered something online that was a little more high tech/digital but again, impulse buy at our local TSC.

Here's a copy of the link that I bought them from:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...d-split-ameraucana-project-eggs#post_13098261

Just from shipping experience and early fertility, I would order from her again, no question. Its probably cheaper to buy chicks from a hatchery or local breeder once you factor in all of the costs but you might be able to A) get breeder quality chicks you might not get from a hatchery B) breeds/colors you won't get from a hatchery C) access to hatching eggs of breeds from all over.

I'm just doing it for fun. We have a new Cream Legbar cockerel that we got from Curtis Hale in Marble Falls, along with a few of his pullets. I was hoping to hatch a couple of turken eggs but I don't think I gave the new guy enough time to make friends with all of the girls before I put eggs in. I added 3 EE bantam eggs that are showing veins, and a few of the Cream Legbar eggs to help judge any hatching differences in the shipped eggs and home eggs, kind of like a control. I believe one of the 2 turken eggs is developing, the other looks to have a blood ring but I'm going to wait until Monday. One Cream Legbar egg looks clear but the others I believe are showing veins.
 
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So maybe the best idea for me is to try hatching some of my own hens' eggs. If i can do that w/o the investment and be successful then next spring invest in some eggs of breeds I want. All the ones I would get would be PR mutts but I don't think that would affect the eggs..they would eat just as well :) Yeah in six weeks it's already going to be hot. Need to think on this some more :/ Thanks for the answers.
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