So, we were given a half dozen black copper maran eggs at a local poultry show about a month ago. The eggs had been scrubbed for the show, and not handled properly for hatching, because they were never intended for that purpose. But whatever, we thought we'd toss them in the 'bator anyway, and maybe we'd get lucky and get a chick.
That was about a month ago. A few days ago, we had one actually hatch! It was a day or two late, but whatever.. we were thrilled.
This morning, I decided to open the others, just to see what might have happened. I tried candling, but.. the shells are so dark that it was pointless. I've never seen anything at all when candling these, despite all my best efforts. Float test showed nothing, as well.
The first egg I opened was obviously never fertilized, not entirely unexpected. With the second, I slipped a little, the eggshell basically shattered.. and the living chick started peeping up a storm. Very obviously not ready yet, because.. blood. But not copious amounts. I can't see if there's unabsorbed yolk or not.
The membranes are almost completely intact, but the shell is basically gone. I cleared the membrane away from baby's beak, wrapped it in a damp paper towel, put it in a cup, and put it back in the 'bator. Raised the humidity as high as I could (it's near impossible to get above about 70%, where I live), and am just watching.
I just feel sick. I could seriously just cry.
That was about a month ago. A few days ago, we had one actually hatch! It was a day or two late, but whatever.. we were thrilled.
This morning, I decided to open the others, just to see what might have happened. I tried candling, but.. the shells are so dark that it was pointless. I've never seen anything at all when candling these, despite all my best efforts. Float test showed nothing, as well.
The first egg I opened was obviously never fertilized, not entirely unexpected. With the second, I slipped a little, the eggshell basically shattered.. and the living chick started peeping up a storm. Very obviously not ready yet, because.. blood. But not copious amounts. I can't see if there's unabsorbed yolk or not.
The membranes are almost completely intact, but the shell is basically gone. I cleared the membrane away from baby's beak, wrapped it in a damp paper towel, put it in a cup, and put it back in the 'bator. Raised the humidity as high as I could (it's near impossible to get above about 70%, where I live), and am just watching.
I just feel sick. I could seriously just cry.
