The Hatch That BYC Built (aka Frieda vs. the Brinsea!) (Warning--pic heavy)

[AmyPaperlady]

A pic of the egg from last night--the one with the strange series of pips--

 

[WVduckchick]

I can't see anything in there...

 

[AmyPaperlady]

Actually, now that I'm looking on the computer screen, neither can I... I woke up to a new, fully fluffy chick

 

[ronott1]

Actually, now that I'm looking on the computer screen, neither can I... I woke up to a new, fully fluffy chick

What you were likely seeing was the chick zipping. They do not always make a nice even line and it can look like a series of pips.

 

[AmyPaperlady]

Quote:
That's what I was thinking last night, actually, but since I didn't get to see the first hatcher zip (I was only gone an hour or so! There was only a pip when I left. It's so not fair

) the only other zip I've seen was the one I ended up helping after it turned 90 degrees and got stuck for over 12 hours, so I was afraid that the new one was having even more trouble.

Would I be correct in assuming that candling (and water candling, if necessary) the eggs from outside tonight would be a good idea? I mean, if they've been in the incubator for 24 hours, there'd be movement by then if there was any life, right? Assuming they don't surprise me by having external pips when I get home from work or something.

 

[ronott1]

That's what I was thinking last night, actually, but since I didn't get to see the first hatcher zip (I was only gone an hour or so! There was only a pip when I left. It's so not fair

) the only other zip I've seen was the one I ended up helping after it turned 90 degrees and got stuck for over 12 hours, so I was afraid that the new one was having even more trouble.

Would I be correct in assuming that candling (and water candling, if necessary) the eggs from outside tonight would be a good idea? I mean, if they've been in the incubator for 24 hours, there'd be movement by then if there was any life, right? Assuming they don't surprise me by having external pips when I get home from work or something.

Yes, check for signs of life!

I do not water candle though. They will peep if they are alive--or you will see a beak moving in the air cell.

What day are they on?

 

[AmyPaperlady]

If everyone had stayed warm the whole time, they'd be on Day 23 at 3pm (so I'm definitely checking the eggs that have been in the incubator the whole time if there aren't any external pips). I'm not sure when Frieda got off her eggs for good yesterday--sometime after 10, but long enough before 2:30 that the eggs were air temp when I moved them and Frieda to the pen in a final effort to see if she'd sit if everything were dry (nope). So I'm going to consider them a day younger.

When telling the tale elsewhere, I figured out that she likely went unbroody 'cause her underside got cold http://h2g2.com/entry/A87862224/conversation/view/F22146761/T8314856/page/1/ At least, it sounds reasonable to me

 

[Ravynscroft]

I agree with Ronott, candle regular for signs of life... I don't water candle, cuz you will see movement or beaks if they're alive... sometimes the movement is just the simple rhythmic up and down of heart beat/breathing, but you can see it...

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Yes, check for signs of life!

I do not water candle though. They will peep if they are alive--or you will see a beak moving in the air cell.

What day are they on?

Totally I agree. Candling good...water candling useless. I don't bother with float testing either.

 

[lazy gardener]