- Thread starter
- #11
Brandysgirls
Chirping
- May 15, 2020
- 60
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They have drawn down some thankfully!!! If they pick at the little end and there is no air cell can they live?because I thought in my mind that if they pick up there they won't pick up through the entire egg shell? Can they pick up through the entire egg shell at the wrong the end? And I attached pictures again so let me know if you can see them!!!Was there an image attached? I can't see it so can't comment on how they are looking now.
Yeah I don't blame you at all for trying to hatch upright, I've heard positive things about it too. It may even be fine to do for this hatch. I'm just going off the fact you had a lot in the wrong position last time.
You could even compromise and try propping them up at just a lesser angle so you get some of the benefits of upright hatching but any that happen to have their head in the narrow end stand a bit of a better chance.
There really isn't a wrong choice, there are pros and cons for them all. The cartons also make it a lot harder for already hatched babies to kick the eggs around which is a good thing. I take my little guys out as they hatch to avoid them playing soccer with the other eggs. I also put down a shelf liner that helps the eggs stay in place better (which is good if you leave the chicks in the incubator for awhile so they can't knock the other eggs around as much and so hatched chicks have less chance of splay leg). It takes some time to work out what is best for you and your situation.
I had to start my silkie flock with shipped eggs from multiple different breeders. Things tend to go wrong a lot more often with them and I really upped my hatch rate when I got more hands on. This is a really good article on assisting that may come in handy if you are open to assisting. If you are I'd give it a look over, things like safety holes have saved a lot of my shipped egg chicks.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/
I hope they are able to hatch without issue on their own though!