The 4th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long

[Gardeningmama]

Well, here are my official numbers:

37 Set
19 went into lockdown


15 Hatched (This was a weird batch for sure)

 

[Cynthia12]

Hey all! I'm not quite done yet. I have one that pipped last night around 7 that had made no progress this morning.

I set on 3/9 and still have several eggs that show no sign of internal pip or anything. When I candled, almost all of the egg is dark except for a few little parts below the air sac. What does this mean? Could they still be alive or are they dead? 3/4 Olive Eggers and 3/4 Wheaten Ameracaunas are all looking the same. (the 2 of those 8 hatched yesterday and Saturday night.

I am hoping they are still alive, but when I candled and didn't see an internal pip and some air space below the air sac, I got nervous... suggestions?

Still having some hatch? Wow. No movement in the eggs..or are they too dark? I am seeing suggestions of leaving them for 3 days past the due date. I personally don't wait..that's me. I pip, and assist if nothing at the end of day 21. Just me sayin. )

 

[Cynthia12]

today is the final day for submissions to the "Design a Chicken Tiara/Crown Contest" so all y'all creative folks getcher nimble fingers going! Don't forget to model your creation on an actual chicken!

Hey, that was a way cute idea..I saw some pretty fancy snazzy ones! That was fun for sure. )

 

[Cynthia12]

Well, here are my official numbers:

37 Set
19 went into lockdown


15 Hatched (This was a weird batch for sure)

Hey, I say not bad. You have 15 babies. I didn't do so well. Only got 10 out of 60! Worst in a long time. Not sure why either. ?? Well, I can say, that one doz. eggs..that were EE's, had the saddle air sacs..and some had air sacs all the way up one side. Had a lot of quitters before lock down.

 

[chickenpooplady]

Just candled. I tossed one that looked like it had died a while ago. It is a good thing I took it out too because it smelled bad when I cracked it open. I left the other two in there. The Australope was completely dark but the air cell was still there. The veins on the Easter Egger disappeared and the air cell was still on that one too. It does not look good at all. I am so disappointed.

Is it still possible for them to be last or am I past that point?

 

[noahsmom]

Just candled. I tossed one that looked like it had died a while ago. It is a good thing I took it out too because it smelled bad when I cracked it open. I left the other two in there. The Australope was completely dark but the air cell was still there. The veins on the Easter Egger disappeared and the air cell was still on that one too. It does not look good at all. I am so disappointed.

Is it still possible for them to be last or am I past that point?

I'm sorry I know how you are feeling but take it from me, dont open the incubator anymore I believe I partially shrink wrapped some of mine from opening my own bator to much at the end from taking chicks out etc.,.. Listen to these smart people here and leave it closed unless you just have to open it. At this point the sudden drop and hike in humidity can drown them, shrink wrap them and over all cause problems. How long have they been over day 21 now?
I'm sending good thoughts and prayers I hope they hatch for you!

 

[chickenpooplady]

I'm sorry I know how you are feeling but take it from me, dont open the incubator anymore I believe I partially shrink wrapped some of mine from opening my own bator to much at the end from taking chicks out etc.,.. Listen to these smart people here and leave it closed unless you just have to open it. At this point the sudden drop and hike in humidity can drown them, shrink wrap them and over all cause problems. How long have they been over day 21 now?
I'm sending good thoughts and prayers I hope they hatch for you!

Thanks. It is day 23 for me. I had a really hard time getting my humidity right though out lock down. I think that is what killed them.

If they were still alive do you think that taking them out and candling them could have killed them?

 

[noahsmom]

I need some ideas on a bigger brooder? I have the largest container I can find locally and in another week or so I'm going to need to upgrade, I was going to use a 6ft kiddie pool but that just seems so short....hmm. I dont want to make one out of wood, but does anyone else have any off the wall ideas rather than just a big box? Also for those that DO use giant boxes where is the best place to look you've found?

 

[noahsmom]

Thanks. It is day 23 for me. I had a really hard time getting my humidity right though out lock down. I think that is what killed them.

If they were still alive do you think that taking them out and candling them could have killed them?

I'm sorry and I'm really not sure, I just know throughout my hatch I opened more than I should have and I got really worried over the chicks that were playing soccer with the eggs in the incubator so took them out and believe I am what caused my 5-6 full term chicks in there eggs to become shrink wrapped. Or at least from eggtopsies this is what looked like happened. So sad!
I know many on here will open at the end and tap the eggs and try to listen for life a day or two after day 21, but this time I plan to ONLY open for day 7, 14 and 18 to candle and then I am going to set up the bator so the chicks won't play soccer with all the other eggs and just try to practice a hands off policy lol it's so hard though!

Were you able to notice ANY signs of life from them? Did you candle and try to look for an internal pip? If you see this then immediately put them back and wait.

 

[tkmac]

What a great Easter basket, all 12 of my quail eggs hatched !!!  100% !!!
I know 12 is nothing compared to some of the numbers I saw posted.

Sorry to hear of so many eggs that did not hatch.  I am curious if they were shipped eggs or not before I start ordering by mail?   My eggs  were max 3 days old and collected while warm.