I agree. we process ours. did 6 roos last fall and have 14 meaties growing up now. i had one of my laying hens killed over the weekend, and another attacked last night. those were harder, since we didnt expect it. when I know its what they are destined for, i can prepared myself first!
I have looked some, but will have to be more vigilent about it. And I agree i , know what birds are going to the pot way before I have to process them. It does make it easier. 
I have to fight with mine to take them off inside and pack them away in the spring/summer. My 4 year old especially loves his coats shoes and hats!
Quote:
Malpositions
Sticky Chicks due to unabsorbed Albumen
The effects of turning during a critical period for turning, from 3 to 7 days of incubation, were also recorded. Generally, failure to turn eggs retarded growth of the area vasculosa. Turning during the critical period stimulated the extent of growth of the area vasculosa by day 7 of incubation and of subsequent embryonic growth by day 14. Incubation at low temperature resulted both in reduced expansion of the area vasculosa and retarded embryonic growth in a pattern similar to that observed for unturned eggs. It is suggested that turning stimulates development of blood vessels in the area vasculosa via localized increases in blood pressure.
We were able to demonstrate that it is critical to turn eggs for at least the first three
days of incubation and better for the first seven. READ MORE HERE and HERE
Only add room temperature eggs to your incubator to prevent SWEATING. Sweating/Condensation weakens the egg's natural defense mechanisms, providing an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria and penetrated through the shell pores and kill the embryo. Eggs can be laid on their sides or placed in turning tray with pointed end down/big air cell end up. For shipped eggs, please refer to SHIPPED EGGS section of this article.
Mark eggs, using a pencil, with an X on one side and an O on the other. Make sure to turn the eggs at least 3 times a day, or odd number of times. Turning by hand they should always be turned an odd amount of times and move them to a different part of the tray to protect them from temperature variation. You basically roll the eggs with your fingers/palm from X to O. It is important to NOT ROLL the eggs in the same direction every time. Improper rolling can cause the chalazae that holds the yolk in place to tear. Turning the egg prevents the embryo from touching and attaching to the membrane inside the egg. The most convenient way to turn eggs is to purchase an egg turner. Take extra precautions when turning eggs during the first week of incubation. The developing embryos have delicate blood vessels that rupture easily when severely jarred or shaken, thus killing the embryo.
When adding Eggs the temperature will immediately drop. DO NOT ADJUST THE THERMOSTAT, or risk accidentally cooking them. Wait 2/4 hours and if the temperature is still low, make a small adjustment, as small as you can. (Note: Small adjustments on the manual Styrofoam incubators make BIG changes!)
For anyone joining the Hatch-A-Long and new to hatching....This article by Sally is a MUST READ. Just about any question that might arise throughout the course of a hatch is answered in it. I have read it, and re-read it umpteen times. I've often joked that it should be required reading before embarking on a hatch.
LOL your cute! I pray your feeling better?
trouble is most dont want to read and then try to fix issues when its too late, thats the bummer
Quote:
Malpositions
Sticky Chicks due to unabsorbed Albumen
The effects of turning during a critical period for turning, from 3 to 7 days of incubation, were also recorded. Generally, failure to turn eggs retarded growth of the area vasculosa. Turning during the critical period stimulated the extent of growth of the area vasculosa by day 7 of incubation and of subsequent embryonic growth by day 14. Incubation at low temperature resulted both in reduced expansion of the area vasculosa and retarded embryonic growth in a pattern similar to that observed for unturned eggs. It is suggested that turning stimulates development of blood vessels in the area vasculosa via localized increases in blood pressure.
We were able to demonstrate that it is critical to turn eggs for at least the first three
days of incubation and better for the first seven. READ MORE HERE and HERE
Only add room temperature eggs to your incubator to prevent SWEATING. Sweating/Condensation weakens the egg's natural defense mechanisms, providing an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria and penetrated through the shell pores and kill the embryo. Eggs can be laid on their sides or placed in turning tray with pointed end down/big air cell end up. For shipped eggs, please refer to SHIPPED EGGS section of this article.
Mark eggs, using a pencil, with an X on one side and an O on the other. Make sure to turn the eggs at least 3 times a day, or odd number of times. Turning by hand they should always be turned an odd amount of times and move them to a different part of the tray to protect them from temperature variation. You basically roll the eggs with your fingers/palm from X to O. It is important to NOT ROLL the eggs in the same direction every time. Improper rolling can cause the chalazae that holds the yolk in place to tear. Turning the egg prevents the embryo from touching and attaching to the membrane inside the egg. The most convenient way to turn eggs is to purchase an egg turner. Take extra precautions when turning eggs during the first week of incubation. The developing embryos have delicate blood vessels that rupture easily when severely jarred or shaken, thus killing the embryo.
When adding Eggs the temperature will immediately drop. DO NOT ADJUST THE THERMOSTAT, or risk accidentally cooking them. Wait 2/4 hours and if the temperature is still low, make a small adjustment, as small as you can. (Note: Small adjustments on the manual Styrofoam incubators make BIG changes!)
For anyone joining the Hatch-A-Long and new to hatching....This article by Sally is a MUST READ. Just about any question that might arise throughout the course of a hatch is answered in it. I have read it, and re-read it umpteen times. I've often joked that it should be required reading before embarking on a hatch.
LOL your cute! I pray your feeling better?
trouble is most dont want to read and then try to fix issues when its too late, thats the bummer
I'm half way to better...lungs of fire though. Thanks for asking.
It is a shame because I honestly think many people starting out with hatching don't know the article exists. Lol! Once you find it, it gets bookmarked though. I was fortunate enough to be on PA Unite when you started with the article so knew about it. A simple Google search of just about anything incubation leads you straight to it though, so that's wonderful!
Once you have had a nice rooster, you will never again have a mean one. I had a mean one once (not polish) and it took me a long time to realize I wasn't going to "fix" him. He was fine with my DH, kids and even strangers - it was just me he was after. He broke a blood vessel in my leg, causing a grapefruit sized bruise. The day I bent over to fill a waterer and he went for my head, he was gone.
What kind of thermometers do you have? Which one did you use for the NYD hatch? With your hatch being good for that one, I'd use the same thermometer that you used there.This hatch...
For no reason I can fathom, all my thermos are showing different temps, even though they all started out *exactly* the same. No clue what caused it, and no clue how to fix it. We're talking 3-4 degrees!
Only 1/3 of my eggs were growing, and now it looks like most of those are early quitters. I'm not tossing anything yet, but when the veins start to turn into smears, it's kind of obvious.
My NYD hatch rate was 82% of eggs set. 88% of fertile/developing eggs. So you can imagine this is hard for me.
I'm so sorry.
Adorable duckling! And great news on all of them veining!
Great, good luck!
