The 5th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long!

[foxvalleyfarm]

They will often bleed out or sometimes drown. There is not much you can do but read the guide to assisted hatching. The internal pip is very early with ducks and they will go up to three days after external pipping before they hatch. That is much too early to take them out of the shell.

If you see liquid in the pip, you have to clear it as best you can. That is one reason why eggs with air cells like that are more work.

I've read it 10+ times and have made my dh read it. OK so try to stop the bleeding and keep liquid from the nose. I got it. How long after internal pip should the external be for ducks?

 

[angelobutter]

I dare everyone to try and count for her! I'll start....105 eggs.

I counted 87, unless either of these two "??" are eggs then it would be 88 or 89

 

[ronott1]

Yes, unless I'm doing sex-links.

Feather sexing like that does not work on all Breeds.

This is a quick guide:

http://animalsciences.missouri.edu/reprod/ReproTech/Feathersex/sld006.htm

There is a list of Breeds that work. The male has to be fast feathering and the female has to be slow feathering. They have to be checked on day one or two. It does not work for Australorps for example.

I have seen a list of breeds that can be feather sexed but cannot find it now. Does anyone have a list handy?

 

[Whoops]

I couldn't resist and I checked one - veins!!!!!!!!

Now, I am going to be good and leave the rest until the seventh day. Really. Honest.

But, I have sort of a probably stupid question: I use a really bright flashlight. I think they said 400 lumens, but they lie about these things. Anyway, that won't damage the chicks eyes as they are developing, will it? The egg shields them, right?

 

[GerbilsOnToast]

Okay, that day is officially over, I'm ready for a better one!
Decided to go give Penelope the rest of the fertile (I hope) turkey eggs... I'd rather she raise them than me, especially since I'm not seeing veining in the 'bator ones. Got out there and found a huge opossum in the hay barn with her. Ran back to the house to get husband/shotgun. Ran back out (it's a quarter mile) and watched the side door while I waited for the cavalry; when we went through the side door it was exiting the end door. Meaning at least he didn't have to make really loud noises inside a huge empty steel building that my turkey is setting in... did have to go for another short run - but Princess Penelope is safe(er?)(slightly, maybe? I remember sleeping. Sleeping was good. Don't think I'll be doing much in April.).

Apparently I crushed one of the eggs during one of the runs - the shell is crackles but the membrane is not broken. I brought it back & coated the cracks with 'out the door' and will put it in the incubator; probably won't make it but I'm sure it couldn't hold up in the nest. I hope I didn't make scrambled eggs out of all of them....

Oh! First Buff of tomorrows hatch is now out.

 

[Cynthia12]

I counted 87, unless either of these two "??" are eggs then it would be 88 or 89

Nice job..I think I went over one row twice. But you go and get smart, and number each one. I don't know how to do that..lol...I do think that the ones that you are pointing to are eggs..so probably 89.

 

[GerbilsOnToast]

Feather sexing like that does not work on all Breeds.

This is a quick guide:

http://animalsciences.missouri.edu/reprod/ReproTech/Feathersex/sld006.htm

There is a list of Breeds that work. The male has to be fast feathering and the female has to be slow feathering. They have to be checked on day one or two. It does not work for Australorps for example.

I have seen a list of breeds that can be feather sexed but cannot find it now. Does anyone have a list handy?

I think I have a printout of that list somewhere; know I've seen it because it was one of the factors in choosing which breeds to raise!

 

[Cynthia12]

I couldn't resist and I checked one - veins!!!!!!!!

Now, I am going to be good and leave the rest until the seventh day. Really. Honest.

But, I have sort of a probably stupid question: I use a really bright flashlight. I think they said 400 lumens, but they lie about these things. Anyway, that won't damage the chicks eyes as they are developing, will it? The egg shields them, right?

Good luck on that. he he..nah, you will be good. I'm not going to candle until Fri..the 7th day. Really, and honest. For reals. I'm glad you saw something happening. It helps to know that you have some good eggs in there.

 

[Cynthia12]

Feather sexing like that does not work on all Breeds.

This is a quick guide:

http://animalsciences.missouri.edu/reprod/ReproTech/Feathersex/sld006.htm

There is a list of Breeds that work. The male has to be fast feathering and the female has to be slow feathering. They have to be checked on day one or two. It does not work for Australorps for example.

I have seen a list of breeds that can be feather sexed but cannot find it now. Does anyone have a list handy?

Boy, did I ever find out that it doesn't work for Australorps!

 

[Cynthia12]

ron, found this thread...https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/261208/sex-linked-information

And this one..