The 4th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long

[Wisher1000]

QUESTION to Egg Sellers
When you pack eggs for shipping do you suggest lay eggs on their sides or placed fat end up?
I am trying to figure out why most people DO NOT ship in the fat end up position because if you ship sideways that aircell will naturally do everything in its power to get centered in the egg and make for even more loose cells.... I have a few results from our byc experiment with taking an egg and shaking it until you dislodge the air cell and if you do the test you will find it takes ALOT and I mean ALOT, ARM TIRING LOT to get an aircell to roll even a little! HOWEVER the minor vibrations of the road I think and the way people pack eggs on sides is a main reason for dislodged air cells..... Trying to figure out what is best because broken eggs havent been a real issue with us, its air cells. When I am ready to ship I want to package the best I possibly can and if you know me you know I like to do my homework and research everything! LOL

Sally, I have been conducting my own "hands on" research and you can see it here... https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/738943/the-great-egg-shipping-experiment/170#post_10448849

I have shipped eggs (from Alabama) to California, Maine, and Montana. So far, the air cells have not been scrambled too bad (I shipped with the air cell up) and I have only had one egg arrive cracked. The first chicks from my shipped eggs should hatch this week, but so far they are developing well and I am optimistic that the hatch rates will be better than average. Y'all check it out and let me know what you think.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote:

I hear these not only scare the bejimmenies out of them, they tend to never sit on eggs again! he he he

 

[Sally Sunshine]

two feet of snow is a lot!!

Sure is, but that looks fun!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Sally, I have been conducting my own "hands on" research and you can see it here... https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/738943/the-great-egg-shipping-experiment/170#post_10448849

I have shipped eggs (from Alabama) to California, Maine, and Montana. So far, the air cells have not been scrambled too bad (I shipped with the air cell up) and I have only had one egg arrive cracked. The first chicks from my shipped eggs should hatch this week, but so far they are developing well and I am optimistic that the hatch rates will be better than average. Y'all check it out and let me know what you think.
COOL! Have you taken an egg and tried to dislodge the cell experiment? Try it and take a video so we can show folks how much it takes to dislodge them!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

OMG this is just adorable!!!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Lunch time.... Chat later!! Have a Wonderful Day Y'all

 

[Jessshan8]

Is it a problem to hatch Muscovy/Welsh Harlequins alongside standard chicken eggs in the same incubator? I was told they need a higher humidity. I have some of each and was hoping to hatch them together.

You can easily do it. The humidity ranges for both do cross each other, for chickens the humidity should be somewhere between 50% to 65% and for duck eggs it should be 55% to 65%, But you would want to set the duck eggs before the chicken eggs. since Muscovy eggs require 35 day of incubation. I would set the Muscovy (35 day incubation) first then set the Welsh Harlequins (28 day incubation) 7 days after the Muscovy eggs and finally the chicken eggs (21 day incubation) 7 days after the WH. That way when it's time to increase the humidity at lock-down to 70% to 80% (day 18 or 19 most do 19 for chickens and day 32 for Muscovy ) all will be right. Takes a little coordination but can definitely be done. Good Luck and happy Hatching.

 

[Wisher1000]

Quote: Wow! Looks like you have been picking blackberries!

I have never had a broody that wouldn't let me reach under and check eggs, I have had some that needed me to take it slow at first, but they have all eventually accepted me messing with them. Now, my boys won't go near the broodies, so I have to collect eggs myself when someone is on the nest.

 

[Jessshan8]

Have at it Ron - this is a group effort here!


Watch your hands - the most submissive hens can be the meanest broodies. Here's my proof:

Ouch! does not look like much fun.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Quote: if you run duck and or muscovy at that high of humidity during incubation it will drown them. yes you can get a few to hatch, but they NEED to loose moisture during incubation and should be done at 30% or less during setting, and 70% at lock down.