The Olive-Egger thread!

[otakalhasas]

Yes, I have some eggs that came from OE genes, but now they are producing brown with spots.



Now as far as this batch of eggs...

The colors are photo shopped on eggs, not stickers.. I have good news for me... the egg with the blue arrow was not a clear pull egg... I left it in one more day (I thought it had the ring) but this morning it has spider. it is my only LO egg.

Shoot, I thought they were stickers (just goes to show how old I am - didn't even think about photo shopped!)! Good luck with your LO egg!!!!!

 

[ochochicas]

I write on mine with a pencil or sharpie so I know which eggs they are. Then I can weigh or candle them and know which ones to keep track of later.

 

[Shadow722]

I write on mine with a pencil or sharpie so I know which eggs they are. Then I can weigh or candle them and know which ones to keep track of later.

Do the eggs get heavier or lighter as they develop? I have a hard time with candling with really dark eggs.

 

[Saris]

Do the eggs get heavier or lighter as they develop? I have a hard time with candling with really dark eggs. 

They get slightly lighter since they should be losing moisture to grow the air cell. 13% weight loss over the first 18 days is good.

 

[otakalhasas]

I write on mine with a pencil or sharpie so I know which eggs they are. Then I can weigh or candle them and know which ones to keep track of later.

Okay, so even though the shell is porous, it doesn't hurt to use a sharpie? The last thing I need are chicks hatching with a moustache!!!!!!

 

[trailrider330]

Okay, so even though the shell is porous, it doesn't hurt to use a sharpie? The last thing I need are chicks hatching with a moustache!!!!!!

Are you sure? Chicks with a mustache might look quite cute. Maybe you could even develop your own mustache-bearing breed.

But seriously, people have varying opinions on this matter. Those that have tried it, report that no ink makes it through to the other side of the shell; however, what you may have to worry more about is the possibility that chemicals, which you can not see, may enter through the shell. Most people report no issues using a sharpie, but others are not willing to take the risk. It seems to come down to personal preference. If you can use a pencil, I would suggest sticking with that, but if your eggs are in a situation in which the pencil might rub off (i.e. under a broody), and you need a way to identify the eggs, you might want to stick with using a sharpie.

 

[otakalhasas]

Are you sure? Chicks with a mustache might look quite cute. Maybe you could even develop your own mustache-bearing breed.

But seriously, people have varying opinions on this matter. Those that have tried it, report that no ink makes it through to the other side of the shell; however, what you may have to worry more about is the possibility that chemicals, which you can not see, may enter through the shell. Most people report no issues using a sharpie, but others are not willing to take the risk. It seems to come down to personal preference. If you can use a pencil, I would suggest sticking with that, but if your eggs are in a situation in which the pencil might rub off (i.e. under a broody), and you need a way to identify the eggs, you might want to stick with using a sharpie.

Yeah, all humor aside, it is the chemicals I'm concerned about. They would most probably be in the incubator, so pencil should stay on????

 

[aart]

Pencil works fine, especially a softer lead....typical #2 pencil will work.

 

[otakalhasas]

Cool! Thanks!

 

[trailrider330]

Yeah, all humor aside, it is the chemicals I'm concerned about. They would most probably be in the incubator, so pencil should stay on????

Here is a website you may want to check out: http://www.chemistryislife.com/the-chemistry-of-sharpies At the bottom there are additional links to the chemicals contained in a sharpie. If you can, I suggest using pencil and check it periodically to make sure it isn't rubbing off. It should be fine in an incubator. If that fails, some suggest using colored pencils or crayons. If you decide to go with a sharpie, you may prefer to go with a fine, or ultra fine, tip marker to minimize the about of marker placed on the shell.