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

[angelobutter]

Okay...timing of this really stinks....!!!! But, I have an R-Com incubator which is the ONLY incubator I wanted running right now...... it has for some reason stopped turning.

It has a wheel that turns and makes the bottom tray slide back and forth which rolls the rollers and makes the eggs turn. I have been using this for parrot eggs because it turns them so gently. I have eggs in it now, including my hatch-a-long pheasants and ducks. I fired up another bator to transfer eggs to if needed. (Really, I'm going to need more space for chicken eggs on Friday anyways...

) Was hoping to keep duck and chicken separate...

Does anybody know this incubator and might you be familiar with this problem?

is it a mini, a 20 or a 50?
can you empty out the Rcom and open it up all the way (as if you were cleaning it after a hatch) and maybe you will see if there is an obvious problem? like a piece of egg shell or paper towel might have gotten stuck on the gear teeth? if not can you turn it on while the top main unit is off and maybe while it is running you will be able to see an issue? I am new to the Rcoms myself, you have probably already done all of the above. maybe resetting it all the way? (holding the "set button" unplug and replug then release the "set" button) or I am sure this isn't the issue, but I know I can turn the "turn option" off, did that happen by accident? ...bummer I hope you can fix it easily.

 

[ChickenFox]

Ive got chickie!

My only non shipped homebred this time around. My EE bantams first egg/chick!
Also have 2 pipped silkies and 3 pipped ams. Im worried about one of the ams though. She looks to have hit a vein. Hopefully not a big one.

 

[ocap]

yesterday ... no eggs before noon, so.... Friday is my last collection day before the official start for chickens

 

[Sally Sunshine]

I am posting this here as I have already gotten several emails
in regards to what to do with the eggs they got today!

Each day that egg is not set reduces viability!
There is a 2 day leeway with this hatchalong! Give them the best chance you can!
So if they air cells are in good shape settle them today and set them tomorrow,
BUT PLEASE READ on rolling and detatched air cells below!
ALWAYS in the HATCHING 101 Article!




Shipped Eggs = Change Of Plans!
Shipped eggs have a MUCH lower hatch rate, even with experienced hatchers!


BELOW ROLLING AIR CELL OF A SHIPPED EGG
Rolls like a Carpenters Level



UNDERSTANDING what goes WRONG with SHIPPED EGGS
The yolk of an egg is held in place on each end by what is called Chalaza. These are delicate cords that keep the yolk centered in the egg. When you crack open an egg, you notice a white stringy thing on the yolk, this is the Chalaza. When eggs are shipped they encounter postal handlers that toss the packages, sorting machinery, bumpy vehicle rides, temperature changes and possibly X-ray Machines! So by the time the eggs get to you they are pretty much scrambled inside. So if you are going to buy eggs and have them shipped to you, be aware that the viability drops TREMENDOUSLY. There are rare instances when they ALL arrive safely but it is always a gamble.
See Egg anatomy here http://www.geauga4h.org/poultry/egg_parts.htm



CONCLUSION ~ Shipped eggs
If an egg has a normal intact air cell PLEASE TREAT IT AS A NORMAL EGG!

For rolling, detached or disrupted air cells
(cells no longer at fat end of the egg but like a bubble level on the long side, rolling or saddle shaped cells), you’ll need to change your hatch plan. These eggs need to sit and settle to room temp 12-24 hours NO TURNING, pointy end down in a Egg Carton to possibly reattach air cells.

For SETTING in the incubator......

If your air cell is ROLLING end to end do not turn for 36-48 hours of the first incubation hours to help air cell re-attach and in some cases are really bad loose air cell should not be turned either, if after 48 hours and you have embryo growth and the air cell is still completely loose, do not turn another 24 hours.

If air cells are saddle shaped but intact (meaning not jiggly) I put them in the turner and begin with the gentle turning or you can turn by hand in the carton by simply tilting side to side, see image below.

TREATMENT AT LOCKDOWN.......
I personally have found that any shipped egg that survives to day 18 lockdown has an awkward but re-attached air cell so I lay my eggs down for hatch. Please refer to day 18 lockdown for more information on why laying eggs for hatching after day 18 is the best way to go.

REMINDER~ Never Set COLD eggs in the incubator.



Below image are Eggs in A Carton with Bottoms cut out for Ventilation



Below image of Turning air cell damaged Shipped Eggs, just lean to opposite side.


BELOW is a short video of an Rolling Detatched Air Cell



SHIPPED EGGS & Malpositions!
BELOW ARE "SADDLE" SHAPED AIR CELLS

SADDLE SHAPED AIR CELLS are very COMMON with shipped eggs!​

Saddle shaped is when one or both sides have a large "dip" in the air cell. A lot of times with saddle shaped cells the chick doesn’t position correct for hatching and their feet can easily get stuck behind their head and “smoosh” the chick so they can’t move, it can also force the yolk sack and everything more north in the shell.... Keep a close eye on these eggs and its VERY important to pencil mark Air cells!​

 

[Corny Caleb]

I have a strong a feeling that we are going to hit over 300 hatchers by the set date for chicken eggs

P.S. I think I might enter a couple of those photo contest on this thread

 

[Marthab1953]

I am posting this here as I have already gotten several emails
in regards to what to do with the eggs they got today!

Each day that egg is not set reduces viability!
There is a 2 day leeway with this hatchalong! Give them the best chance you can!
So if they air cells are in good shape settle them today and set them tomorrow,
BUT PLEASE READ on rolling and detatched air cells below!
ALWAYS in the HATCHING 101 Article!




Shipped Eggs = Change Of Plans!
Shipped eggs have a MUCH lower hatch rate, even with experienced hatchers!


BELOW ROLLING AIR CELL OF A SHIPPED EGG
Rolls like a Carpenters Level



UNDERSTANDING what goes WRONG with SHIPPED EGGS
The yolk of an egg is held in place on each end by what is called Chalaza. These are delicate cords that keep the yolk centered in the egg. When you crack open an egg, you notice a white stringy thing on the yolk, this is the Chalaza. When eggs are shipped they encounter postal handlers that toss the packages, sorting machinery, bumpy vehicle rides, temperature changes and possibly X-ray Machines! So by the time the eggs get to you they are pretty much scrambled inside. So if you are going to buy eggs and have them shipped to you, be aware that the viability drops TREMENDOUSLY. There are rare instances when they ALL arrive safely but it is always a gamble.
See Egg anatomy here http://www.geauga4h.org/poultry/egg_parts.htm



CONCLUSION ~ Shipped eggs
If an egg has a normal intact air cell PLEASE TREAT IT AS A NORMAL EGG!

For rolling, detached or disrupted air cells
(cells no longer at fat end of the egg but like a bubble level on the long side, rolling or saddle shaped cells), you’ll need to change your hatch plan. These eggs need to sit and settle to room temp 12-24 hours NO TURNING, pointy end down in a Egg Carton to possibly reattach air cells.

For SETTING in the incubator......

If your air cell is ROLLING end to end do not turn for 36-48 hours of the first incubation hours to help air cell re-attach and in some cases are really bad loose air cell should not be turned either, if after 48 hours and you have embryo growth and the air cell is still completely loose, do not turn another 24 hours.

If air cells are saddle shaped but intact (meaning not jiggly) I put them in the turner and begin with the gentle turning or you can turn by hand in the carton by simply tilting side to side, see image below.

TREATMENT AT LOCKDOWN.......
I personally have found that any shipped egg that survives to day 18 lockdown has an awkward but re-attached air cell so I lay my eggs down for hatch. Please refer to day 18 lockdown for more information on why laying eggs for hatching after day 18 is the best way to go.

REMINDER~ Never Set COLD eggs in the incubator.



Below image are Eggs in A Carton with Bottoms cut out for Ventilation



Below image of Turning air cell damaged Shipped Eggs, just lean to opposite side.


BELOW is a short video of an Rolling Detatched Air Cell



SHIPPED EGGS & Malpositions!
BELOW ARE "SADDLE" SHAPED AIR CELLS

SADDLE SHAPED AIR CELLS are very COMMON with shipped eggs!​

Saddle shaped is when one or both sides have a large "dip" in the air cell. A lot of times with saddle shaped cells the chick doesn’t position correct for hatching and their feet can easily get stuck behind their head and “smoosh” the chick so they can’t move, it can also force the yolk sack and everything more north in the shell.... Keep a close eye on these eggs and its VERY important to pencil mark Air cells!​

Thanks for the information it sure will help.

 

[coopsbyty]

So, it turns out the polish chrysanthemum breeder is actually also a member of BYC! I also asked if they would have more of them available and right now they do not. Going to take pictures of the chicks now.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

So, it turns out the polish chrysanthemum breeder is actually also a member of BYC! I also asked if they would have more of them available and right now they do not. Going to take pictures of the chicks now.

 

[coopsbyty]

Polish Chrysanthemums!

Shakira- blue and white,

Allison- possible blue splash

I know they maybe roosters so they may become Shak and Al, but this what my wife named them for now

They look a lot like baby showgirls right now, I will update as their feathers come in.

 

[coopsbyty]

I am sorry Sally if I get lucky enough to end up with a pair I will gladly send you eggs in the fall!