Trim goes all in: A hatching adventure!

[Trimurtisan]

Shipped eggs are so tricky. Ideally we'd all dial in the incubating first. Then move on to the more difficult eggs. Unfortunately that seldom happen. The call of eBay is too strong. I also jumped right into the deep end. Ordering eggs up from all across the country. After disappointing results I now only order from 1 state away. Only during months with dependable weather. Also bantam or smaller eggs seem to ship much better. That's my experience anyway.

Ebay is a pusher!

I need to block that site! Although only the Shamo came from there, they where all shipped in. The weather is something I had not really considered.

Im ready to hear some cheeps!

 

[Trimurtisan]

Only 9 days to go!

I'm not going to lie though... I'm trying to get it worked out that the next batch starts in 11 days... Ebay/GFF got those teeth in me again!

 

[Trimurtisan]

After disappointing results I now only order from 1 state away.

The weather is something I had not really considered.

I've actually been trying to follow the state the eggs are sold from now. It too is something I had not considered yet. GFF farm happens to be in my state though, and thus not making the "ignore ebay" thing all that easy. lol.

 

[jolenesdad]

Shipped eggs are so tricky. Ideally we'd all dial in the incubating first. Then move on to the more difficult eggs. Unfortunately that seldom happen. The call of eBay is too strong. I also jumped right into the deep end. Ordering eggs up from all across the country. After disappointing results I now only order from 1 state away. Only during months with dependable weather. Also bantam or smaller eggs seem to ship much better. That's my experience anyway.

Interesting observations. I also started with shipped eggs before learning the incubator. Wrong way.

Hands down fresh eggs hatch best for me. They can be shipped halfway across the country and if that egg was laid the day before it was shipped, it hatches most of the time. Some breeders don’t date the eggs, but you can tell by the air cell. I started drawing it on at the beginning just to monitor that. In addition, it seems really hard to displace a day old air cell, but 5 or 6 day old eggs have air cells all over the place.

I keep meaning to take one of my own eggs and shake it around a bit to see what actually has to happen to saddle an air cell.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

Interesting observations. I also started with shipped eggs before learning the incubator. Wrong way.

Hands down fresh eggs hatch best for me. They can be shipped halfway across the country and if that egg was laid the day before it was shipped, it hatches most of the time. Some breeders don’t date the eggs, but you can tell by the air cell. I started drawing it on at the beginning just to monitor that. In addition, it seems really hard to displace a day old air cell, but 5 or 6 day old eggs have air cells all over the place.

I keep meaning to take one of my own eggs and shake it around a bit to see what actually has to happen to saddle an air cell.

Excellent observation! Those day old cells are very small indeed. It's definitely worth the time to inquire about how many hens the seller has. That would give a good idea of how many eggs they are capable of collecting and shipping fresh.

 

[jolenesdad]

Excellent observation! Those day old cells are very small indeed. It's definitely worth the time to inquire about how many hens the seller has. That would give a good idea of how many eggs they are capable of collecting and shipping fresh.

When I ordered from Metzer farms they said the eggs they ship are laid the same day. I had many “displaced” cells, a little jelly movement at the top, just a couple large saddled eggs, and no detached cells. I also had hands down my best shipped egg hatch. (Caveat... duck eggs)

 

[john_wrightson2003]

@Trimurtisan Im sorry that you don't have very many developing, but its better than my first shipped egg "attempt" I had alteast 40 eggs, and uh... 0 of them hatched . So, atleast you have a few developing!

 

[Trimurtisan]

@Trimurtisan Im sorry that you don't have very many developing, but its better than my first shipped egg "attempt" I had alteast 40 eggs, and uh... 0 of them hatched . So, atleast you have a few developing!

It's no biggie. I think I just got my hopes up in an unrealistic manor. Though if I had 0/40 I think I would have just quit. So I am grateful for the few I do have. Plus I REALLY want some O Shamo chicken, and I am getting that (so far) from the eggs. You can't really call it a failure if you get what you want, even if it's not as much as you'd like...

My neighbor is actually looking to get some chicks here soon. I'm thinking about offering her the BA & BI if they hatch. There's only 1 of each that look to be progressing. Egg production is not really a high concern for myself, but I'd bet gifting her a couple of egg producer would land a free breakfast here and there. Plus I'd still be able to visit them from time to time.

 

[john_wrightson2003]

My neighbor is actually looking to get some chicks here soon. I'm thinking about offering her the BA & BI if they hatch. There's only 1 of each that look to be progressing. Egg production is not really a high concern for myself, but I'd bet gifting her a couple of egg producer would land a free breakfast here and there. Plus I'd still be able to visit them from time to time.

Sounds like an awesome idea!

 

[Trimurtisan]

Thinking of treating myself to some eggs for my birthday.

I've currently got these "Blue Noble" American game in my sights.

There are also some more O Shamo eggs, but they're a bit above my budget at the time. If I can manage to swing it though, they are what I'd prefer. Not to mention, they come from a stock of giants! Even if that lady is short, that's a big'ol chicken!