The 7th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-A-Long!

[chicken04]

IM setting 4 eggs

 

[slrose24]

ive been hearing some negative things about the Styrofoam...ive had a 'ok' experience with my little giant but decided to splurge a little to compare

 

[OneMountainAcres]

ive been hearing some negative things about the Styrofoam...ive had a 'ok' experience with my little giant but decided to splurge a little to compare

I recommend GQF brand, specifically forced air hovabator. I have a forced air, still air (for emergencies only), and cabinet by them and love them to death! I'm testing out a Brinsea Octo 20 and so far in not impressed but that could change.

 

[deserteggs22]

finally got a flashlight that was powerful enough to candle my darker eggs! YAY!

But, when I candled my dark shipped olive egger eggs, they all had horrible saddle air pockets!!!

Can they still hatch properly? I can see veins and movement.

Here's an example of 2 of them:

 

[ronott1]

finally got a flashlight that was powerful enough to candle my darker eggs! YAY!

But, when I candled my dark shipped olive egger eggs, they all had horrible saddle air pockets!!!

Can they still hatch properly? I can see veins and movement.

Here's an example of 2 of them:

Yes, eggs like that can hatch fine. They do better in cartons or trays though.

 

[CGilbert]

Yes, eggs like that can hatch fine. They do better in cartons or trays though.

X2

 

[chickendreams24]

Well ladies and gents had a pretty crazy day here. The wind here was absolutely horrendous today and we need to check our roof in the light tomorrow. Anything that wasn't buried or nailed down blew or just about blew away. Lol I think we may need a new yard thermometer. Lol

Okay now for the update. Went out to check the broodies and Ginger was on the wrong nest, she was set on the 11th and wouldn't you know it there were two extra eggs in her nest and two of her eggs are missing. The other eggs have yolk on them.

My guess is the wyandotte that layed in the nest accidentally broke the eggs and a feeding frenzy ensued. There was nothing left of them. I'm thanking God they were that early still but I'm very bummed even though Ginger isn't participating in the hatch-a-long BC she is my favorite silkie(don't tell the others) and she so wants to be a Mommy. She has been doing great up until now, but the eggs were cold. We candled and I think the two that are still out there may have been clears but I'm not 100% so I left those two under her. The other two I knew were developing so I brought them in the house and put them in the incubator. I will candle again tomorrow and if they're alive I'll give them back to her.

But idk what to do about the egg yolk should I gently try to clean it off? I knew these eggs were a long shot anyway BC they're my black oegb, Minnie's, first eggs but I do so want some of her babies. If the eggs don't survive I will probably reset Ginger as we have two more of Minnie's eggs found today but I guess we'll see. Other than the odd extra egg here and there we have had no problems with our broodies at all they will even kick the other birds out of the nest usually.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys

 

[UGLYFOOT]

I finally got to candle my eggs. My last hatch was interfering. I did get 7 to hatch out of that bunch. I pulled 16 clears to leave 107 still going, plus could not candle the 19 quail eggs. I am really excited about the Barnie eggs doing so well!

 

[Saris]

Down to 16 eggs. 3 SiAm, 1 BW Am, 5 Phoenix, 1 secret, 6 barnyard mix. 22 were infertile and I had 9 early deaths.

 

[bappl]

I lost two more chicks today so I'm down to 6 from 12. My humidity was way too high all day today and I think that's what got those two chicks. If all the eggs hatch that are now in there, I'll have a 50% hatch rate. I pray that the rest make it.