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

[jinks12333]

Since we were on the topic of honey bees the other day... here is one of my ladies from last summer. they survived the winter and are now zooming around my yard making my chickens look like crazy ninja jumping chickens. haha

 

[Glenmar]

Well Guys, I'm out. From 18 eggs only 1 was fertile and growing. These are young birds, so maybe they just need more time.

I replaced them with 5 turkey eggs today so we'll see.....
Good luck with your hatches and HAPPY EASTER everyone.

 

[misbhaven]

I had 2 eggs that were due to hatch yesterday 1 quit awhile ago 1 quit day 16 -18....I had a feeling that they wouldn't make it, I had a turner motor die on me for several days from day 7 to 11 that I know of..i didn't notice because i would always add water etc at about the same time..i had just added water earlier the last day early and found the eggs in the same position so i checked in 2 hrs and found it died...I have one more batch of duck eggs that were in that incubator and that turner due this wends but I have seen movement in them so I figure I might have to help they may be sticky..I tossed 3 more HAL eggs yesterday 2 duck,1 turkey ..have about 7 more I gave a couple more days but think quit mostly turkey eggs that I repaired the worst one is going strong go figure ...But I did get a pleasant surprise yesterday i was expecting maybe 8 eggs from a egg swap on here TripleKFarm sent me 15...Polish and BCM's so I set those last night...some went right in a turner some did not I know there is a couple of theories some say turn right away ..I am doing both with the same eggs, same type, same age. from same person, I will see how it goes.

 

[foxvalleyfarm]

I have a few of those...no eye spot visible, I mean. I hope it isn't a bad thing! It would totally suck if I had babies hatch with no eyeballs!

I hope not. I wonder what more experienced people have to say

 

[Quailsong]

Well Guys, I'm out. From 18 eggs only 1 was fertile and growing. These are young birds, so maybe they just need more time.

I replaced them with 5 turkey eggs today so we'll see.....
Good luck with your hatches and HAPPY EASTER everyone.

You're not out. You still have that one! Keep it going, don't let it die just because the others quit.

 

[chicken pickin]

Since we were on the topic of honey bees the other day... here is one of my ladies from last summer. they survived the winter and are now zooming around my yard making my chickens look like crazy ninja jumping chickens. haha

Beautiful picture!

 

[Happy Chooks]

My easter hatch was a total failure. I've already ended mine... 0 have/will hatch. All three goose eggs were clear, and all but two rouen eggs were clear. The last two quit, visible at the second candling.

Oh no, I'm sorry.

Quote: Great idea!

@SallySunshine... Update: I did "assist" by pulling the piece of shell off the end of her egg where her air sack was, but it wasnt really even holding on.. it practically fell off in my hand. That is why i went and got the warm wash cloth and wrapped it around her because I didnt know what else to do to give her "protection" like her egg shell would?(if that makes sense?) Anyways after your post (^^That one) I read and re-read that for probably the 100th time. I found that thread a when i started researching hatching about 6 months ago so i would be ready for spring hatching (i still feel like im not ready). I really didnt handle her or any of them untill they were dry only because i have other eggs set for the HAL and didnt want to compromise them.

Now... back to subject after I reread that article I went back down to check on her before bedtime.. right about midnight. Her veins were receding and the membrane was turning clear. So i was happy with that, HOWEVER as I was peering in on her though with my flashlight i caught a better glimpse of her shell that was "remaining".... It was cracked! In like 6 spots.. looked like a spiderweb!!!! I dont know how I didnt notice that when i wrapped her in the washcloth. (Maybe because I was panicked that her shell just fell off in my hand) When she actually hatched this morning around 10 there were no 2 halves to her shell.. it exploded... literally crumbles (technically on day 23.. she pipped saturday morning).
The only thing I can maybe think of was that maybe since she was the last to hatch that the others knocked her around too much?? It definitely wasnt like that when i candled them on day 18 before lockdown. She is however doing well... Her yolk is absorbed all the way, better than the ones that hatched on time it seems. She is chirping loudly in the bator finishing fluffing up.

I do appreciate you reposting that link because it was everything i could do not to freak out and frett! You reminded me that No chick will hatch until its ready! and to just be patient! Thank you again!

Side note: She was the last to hatch... So for this hatch.. my first in 20ish years I had 14/17 Hatch and all are doing well!!! (2 had saddle shaped air sacs and 1 died while hatching *not sure why*) so.... 82% hatching... pretty good I think!

Great job! Glad the little one made it!

Since we were on the topic of honey bees the other day... here is one of my ladies from last summer. they survived the winter and are now zooming around my yard making my chickens look like crazy ninja jumping chickens. haha

Fantastic picture! I need a fountain, I give my bees a water source, but they insist on drinking out of the chicken waterers.

Quote: Ditto!

 

[chikenscratch]

How close to the hive does the water source need to be?

 

[Happy Chooks]

How close to the hive does the water source need to be?

Not too close. They can range 2-3 miles in every direction from the hive. My chicken waterers are about 300 feet or so from the hive. Their water is right next to the hive and they won't use it.

 

[ddhyland]

Since we were on the topic of honey bees the other day... here is one of my ladies from last summer. they survived the winter and are now zooming around my yard making my chickens look like crazy ninja jumping chickens. haha

Beautiful! I am now seriously thinking about putting in some hives. Think I will have to check into.