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

[abmaddox1981]

So I know I'm getting Black Ameracuana eggs (from dak, they're gorgeous), BBS English Orpington, my own Lav AMs,FBCM, and silkies. I'm also ordering Silkie eggs from bargain. Dear Lord. My husband may murder me......

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

This will be my first hatch! I am in!

 

[chicken pickin]

So I know I'm getting Black Ameracuana eggs (from dak, they're gorgeous), BBS English Orpington, my own Lav AMs,FBCM, and silkies. I'm also ordering Silkie eggs from bargain. Dear Lord. My husband may murder me......

Sounds like it will be a great hatch though, such a variety. Im a little jealous.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Figuring this may be a good time to post a few cool links from the Hatching 101 article!


With everyone ordering eggs.....
I suggest that you read the letter to send egg shippers, written by ozexpat so that you get the best hatch you can!
It covers IMPORTANT STUFF that CAN MAKE OR BREAK YOUR HATCH!
Ozexpat made it a word file so its editable to copy and paste to your shipper! see below

Collection & Storage of Eggs
Sources for eggs are to search the BYC buy sell trade section, Craigslist and eBay.
Your local thread on BYC may be the best bet for local eggs!
Look for your local site in the “Social section” “Where am I? Where are You!” on BYC. &
HATCHING EGGS FOR SALE/TRADE BYC https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/36/chicken-hatching-eggs

The following Word File can be used when ordering shipped eggs,
it is our suggestion that you copy/paste/edit to help you get the best eggs possible. Letter written by ozexpat

An open letter to egg shippers.doc 27k .doc file

REMINDER THAT YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT OF DAMAGED SHIPPED EGGS
SEE LINKS FOR INFO! https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-truth-about-insuring-hatching-eggs
http://www.jordan-farm.com/blog/

Choose eggs that are of good size, not abnormally big or small. Do NOT set dirty, cracked, or porous eggs.
Clinical studies at the University of Arkansas have shown that if your going to set a dirty egg, set the dirty egg,
DO NOT SAND, WASH OR WIPE dirty eggs as hatchability decreases with these practices! If you decide to sand for dark eggs and such, ​

• ChooksChick has a cool read on how to do so safetly! (permission to add link to article chooks??)​

Cuticula is the thin membrane that covers the whole eggshell that is made from the sticky fluid when laid which covers it and quickly dissolves due to carbondioxyde activity. This membrane can be penetrated by gasses but functions as a kind defensive mechanism to prevent the entry of bacteria.

The washing and rubbing action also serves to force disease organisms through the pores of the shell. Place the eggs upright in an egg carton with the FAT, air cell end of the egg UP! Allow eggs to sit in a moderately cool, somewhat humid place for storage. Basements are great. Moderately cool means 55-65 degrees. Rotate your eggs a 3 times a day to keep the embryo from sticking. An easy way to turn all of the eggs at once is to place a thick book under one end of the carton, and later remove the book and put it under the other end of the carton, 3 times a day. Before adding eggs to the incubator always WARM eggs UP slowly to room temperature. IF THE EGGS ARE COLD Condensation can cause bacterial growth on the eggs! You can collect eggs up until 10 days or so, but after the 7th day lower hatch rates may result.
Stored eggs take longer to hatch (about one hour per day of storage).

It is important to ALWAYS wash your hands before handling your hatching eggs!

Omphalitis, yolk sack infection is caused by a bacterium that enters through the porous egg shell and easily kills embryo's and newly hatched chicks. Unfortunately, incubation conditions are ideal for breeding bacteria as well as incubating eggs.
For more information on storing eggs refer to Recommendations for hatching egg handling and storage


​

 

[abmaddox1981]

Sounds like it will be a great hatch though, such a variety. Im a little jealous.

Lol. That's what I was going for. I was going to try to get Turkey eggs but since I'm hatching silkies I figure I'll wait. I hear there's a cinco de mayo hatch along.....

 

[chicken pickin]

Lol. That's what I was going for. I was going to try to get Turkey eggs but since I'm hatching silkies I figure I'll wait. I hear there's a cinco de mayo hatch along.....

There is and it is already open.

 

[ocap]

Thanks! ocap! The brahma seems to be a favorite besides the WFBS!
Everyone is wanting the Splash Partridge Brahma coloring so I will have to AGAIN reconfigure my pens! But not until spring <tapping fingers>

Buckeye

some nice breeds my friend! Any pippers yet?

no pippers, I opened the incubator when my humidity started to drop and added water quickly checked for pips and did not see any, tomorrow after three.................

 

[Kalalyn21]

Count me in!!!

 

[Noncentzter]

I'm in and it's been over a year (maybe two) since I hatched anything!

 

[SoManyHats]

Just secured my eggs! I'm so excited!