The 6th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long!

[Cynthia12]

Question- the chicks I just got (came from Privetts Hatchery) are vaccinated against Marecks. How would I go about vaccinating the chicks I have in the incubator (if I so choose)? Do you all normally vaccinate?

I don't.

 

[Cynthia12]

 

[bekkanblue]

Shhhh... I have a broody and I'm going to sneak out and slip more eggs under her....

 

[farmhand]

I have 9 Black Copper Marans and 5 Olive Egger I just candled. 2 of the Marans and 1 Olive are clear or half clear.
Question; The rest look to be progressing normally but have a open space on both ends. Is this normal? I have been diligent about keeping them turned the proper side up as they were given to me since the eggs are very round.

 

[Junibutt]

I candled only my questionable eggs today (despite promising myself not to). Out of the 4 with large air sacs, 1 was clear and 2 quitters so I guess I got some natural selection and won't have to worry about them anymore.

The 2 eggs I had which were only developing in half the egg, I had placed them upright in the Brinsea and now they are perfectly spread all over the egg.

So after 3 less eggs, I am down to 53. Still not bad at this moment since I started at 78.
Home eggs score 28 out of 32 still going
Shipped eggs score 25 out of 44 still going.

 

[wornoutmomto3]

Incubator Wars!

Day 12
​

Welcome back, folks! We have news on young Amber, but first a play-by-play of this evening's earlier events. We have made it past the half way point in this now head to head competition. Two contestants are still in the running for incubation success.

Contestant #1 was up first in our Day 12 Candling Session. Sticking to the light on her phone for now she carefully picks up one egg at a time, and shines the light through the shell in hopes of glimpsing the developing chick inside. Smiles can be seen coming from Contestant #1. Ooh, even a little giddiness after that egg! Wait... wait a moment... oh, that just isn't a good sign. Glad she caught that now, otherwise it could have turned messy. Folks, it would appear that one of the darker brown eggs is clear of all development. Oh, and it was one of the Speckled Sussex eggs too. That is upsetting news for Contestant #1. It is not all bad though. With only one loss this time around the hatch rate for the store bought incubator is holding on.

Contestant #2 is up next. With only 3 eggs in this hatch each one is needed for a high rate of success. These young men have worked hard, day and night with their homemade incubator. Let 'em know you are rooting for them, as we shine some light on their development. First up is the mystery egg. Nothing could be seen at the last candling, and it would appear that nothing can be seen now either. The egg is clear of all development. On to the eggs chosen for this competition. The first two eggs look good. The veins are strong and active little chicks-in-the-making are swimming around. The third egg... something is wrong with the last egg. The veins have dried up and no movement can be seen. This is a devastating blow as the third egg is forever removed from the incubator. The harsh reality of hatching eggs, folks, not all are going to hatch. Don't lose heart with two more eggs going strong this competition is far from over.

As promised we have an update on young Amber. After a strange occurance spooked the hen away from her eggs she was provided another opportunity at motherhood. Several tiny chicks were slipped beneath Amber while she slept. However, things did not end well. Upon waking she pushed the chicks away, refusing to allow them to come near. After some time had passed, and it was apparent that she would not accept the chicks, it was decided to return her to the flock alone. She slipped back in without a fuss and has been happily scratching about with the other hens. She has even begun laying again. An egg was collected from her earlier today. The chicks remained in the brooder to grow bigger and stronger as they await their time to join the flock. As for Amber's eggs the news is not as happy. Only three eggs remain showing signs of life. Of the three one is not in good shape. Veining can still be seen, but it has an odd look. Also, no movement could be detected either.

As has been said in the past and bears repeating, hatching eggs is not for the faint of heart. It is one dramatic event after another with this crowd, folks. The excitement is still far from over, with little over a week left in this hatch anything can happen. For now keep your eyes peeled for the next exciting installment of Incubator Wars! Good Day and Happy Hatching!

 

[NikkiCole5]

Pine, not cedar!

I live in a small town and there is only a few places I can actually go to get pine shavings and since everywhere just did their Easter chick days,
They are all sold out of pine right now. I am planning getting the pine shavings but I only have so many options so I have to wait until they get their shipments in

 

[NikkiCole5]

There is one type of cedar that can be bad for chickens but I do not think they sell it for pet bedding.

I use pine shavings.

I've actually used cedar on my last flock, they are 3 years old now and they are perfectly fine, I had no idea about "harmful" cedar, I bought cedar to keep the smell down and used it their whole lives, but this time I think I will switch to pine when our stores have some in stock

 

[calientepocket]

Well, somewhere between days 9 and 13 the egg Turner came detached fRom the motor. Not sure how much that will affect the developing chicks, but I was able to fix it.

I know all my clears should bee removed from incubator, but I'm having a hard time accepting how many of them appear to be just that




Not so sure about the blood rings. I think that is what I am setting in the following photos. Can anyone confirm?

[IMG
ALT=""]https://www.backyardchickens.com/content/type/61/id/6806279/width/350/height/700[/IMG]

 

[calientepocket]

Sorry I

'm terrible at posting, unfortunately all I have at this time is my phone, which makes it difficult.

I still have viable eggs!