What is the best way to hatch shipped eggs????

[RubyNala97]

Be careful with the duster..it's better to elevate it some so thst the chick can go under the feathers and not in them..their little legs, toes or feet can get stuck, their necks, wings, etc..
have you had any other hatch? I had a bunch of paint Silkies that started hatching early day 18..that was 4 days ago..all of the chicks were in the brooder by late day 19 except one that went in early D20..but there was one egg..I thought it was a quitter bc it hadn't drawn down, air cell hadn't shrunk at all..I went to do an eggtopsy and thank goodness I only opened the air cell..bc it was breathing, still hadn't absorbed the yolk. I figured it would die soon, just looked too far behind but I left it in the hatcher.. today is D22(almost 23) and it's drawn down now, yolk looks almost completely gone and it's moving like crazy now when I moisten the membrane. Can't wait to see if it 'internally' pips..
Don't give up on them if they've not hatched yet..I've had them go anywhere from.Day 18 to Day 25

First, congrats on the hatch!! Did you get that nervous feeling when you opened the air cell and saw him moving?? That's how I felt the one time I did it...but you're a pro with that stuff! I have a question of opinion for you. I've been reading quite a few posts that say after day 23, they throw the eggs out because most any eggs that hatch as late as 24, will have deformities. What's your experience with this?

 

[ValedasLascas]

There are Jersey Giant breeders in the UK who willingly ship eggs and sell chicks. Try an internet search UK based. This is one of the boys hatched in Portugal from a UK egg. From memory I believe ours came from somewhere in Devon.

 

[ValedasLascas]

I agree. From my experience late hatching chicks normally have problems although occasionally you may be lucky.

 

[CrzyChknLady81]

First, congrats on the hatch!! Did you get that nervous feeling when you opened the air cell and saw him moving?? That's how I felt the one time I did it...but you're a pro with that stuff! I have a question of opinion for you. I've been reading quite a few posts that say after day 23, they throw the eggs out because most any eggs that hatch as late as 24, will have deformities. What's your experience with this?

Well woke up at 6am, and the chick was already gone
My very first hatch ever didn't hatch til D25.. everyone that hatched (9 out of 12 that went into lockdown /shipped eggs) Every chick thst hatched was perfect..but I also think that late hatch was due to low temps in my incu..
IF the eggs are hatching late bc they are old eggs, then I would probably only help if they were rare or expensive eggs bc those do tend to have more issues..but I've had deformities in chicks hatched over a whole wide window..personally I am not tossing any egg that is still alive, no matter what the consequences may be. If I put them in the incu, it's my responsibility to see that through. If I have to cull, then so be it but I'd rather give them a chance at least..

 

[RubyNala97]

Well woke up at 6am, and the chick was already gone
My very first hatch ever didn't hatch til D25.. everyone that hatched (9 out of 12 that went into lockdown /shipped eggs) Every chick thst hatched was perfect..but I also think that late hatch was due to low temps in my incu..
IF the eggs are hatching late bc they are old eggs, then I would probably only help if they were rare or expensive eggs bc those do tend to have more issues..but I've had deformities in chicks hatched over a whole wide window..personally I am not tossing any egg that is still alive, no matter what the consequences may be. If I put them in the incu, it's my responsibility to see that through. If I have to cull, then so be it but I'd rather give them a chance at least..

Sorry your little guy didnt make it * Hugs*. I completely agree with what you said. I would never be able to toss an egg if it had a chance at being alive. But I've been reading others view points and some would rather toss the egg then have to cull a chick. I'm with you. I'd rather give it a chance and if it's deformed & suffering then do what needs to be done. (Because there is a chance that it could end up being a normal bird). But to each their own. I was just wondering what your thoughts were.

 

[AmandaVirginia]

Since you'll be using her, you won't have quite the control..but I would definitely let them rest a full 24 hours when they arrive, check all the air cells first, mark those with a detached or rolling air cell. Check them again after the 24 hours to see if any have reattached (for the record, no matter how long I've let mine sit, I've never had one reattach but have successful hatches despite it)..give those that are still not attached a lil mark so you know which are which and just keep a good eye on those throughout bc if there's going to be any that pose a risk of exploding, those will be the ones..
best of luck!! I tried Muscovy but none developed..trying peafowl in addition to my incu full of polish. I set the peas in a separate bator tho

You're in good hands with this advice. I was going to respond similarly!

Thank y'all so much! I will keep y'all updated on my girl's hatch! Praying for another great one!

 

[gmpayne]

I have the feather duster hanging up, so she won't get caught in it. This comment is for a later post warning about little feet getting caught. Thanks for the advice. I have had no more eggs hatch. I did another water candling yesterday and have only one egg moving. Today is D26. I am leaving for vacation on Monday, so tomorrow is the last day for them. I am using a Little Giant with an egg turner but no fan. A fan is next on my list if I buy any more eggs. For still air incubators, I have heard that 102 is the appropriate temp, but this incubator seems to be happiest at 101. If I set it lower or higher, it seems to vary greatly. I have kept the humidity at about 40 until lockdown. Even though I bought the eggs and transported them myself, I let them set 24 hours before putting them in the incubator.

I honestly don't know why I am having such bad luck.

 

[CrzyChknLady81]

I have the feather duster hanging up, so she won't get caught in it.  This comment is for a later post warning about little feet getting caught.  Thanks for the advice.  I have had no more eggs hatch.  I did another water candling yesterday and have only one egg moving.  Today is D26. I am leaving for vacation on Monday, so tomorrow is the last day for them.  I am using a Little Giant with an egg turner but no fan.  A fan is next on my list if I buy any more eggs.  For still air incubators, I have heard that 102 is the appropriate temp, but this incubator seems to be happiest at 101.  If I set it lower or higher, it seems to vary greatly.  I have kept the humidity at about 40 until lockdown. Even though I bought the eggs and transported them myself, I let them set 24 hours before putting them in the incubator.

I honestly don't know why I am having such bad luck.

Try dry incubation. .don't add any water until lockdown. .I use 2 still airs, one as a incubator and the other as a hatcher. .since using dry incubation my hatches have been great for the most part. If you're not opposed to helping a chick, I'd be making holes in the air cells and see what going on..they may be drowning as they pip into the air cell

 

[gmpayne]

I am going to have to peak into the one I have seen movement in and do eggtopsies on the others tomorrow. My chickens are just now 5 months old, so I'm looking forward to giving eggs to any broodies I have. I have a question about broody hens. Have you guys/gals noticed a particular personalities in broody hens? I have one hen who is very shy, and I don't know why, but I think she will be my mommy hen.

 

[RubyNala97]

I have the feather duster hanging up, so she won't get caught in it.  This comment is for a later post warning about little feet getting caught.  Thanks for the advice.  I have had no more eggs hatch.  I did another water candling yesterday and have only one egg moving.  Today is D26. I am leaving for vacation on Monday, so tomorrow is the last day for them.  I am using a Little Giant with an egg turner but no fan.  A fan is next on my list if I buy any more eggs.  For still air incubators, I have heard that 102 is the appropriate temp, but this incubator seems to be happiest at 101.  If I set it lower or higher, it seems to vary greatly.  I have kept the humidity at about 40 until lockdown. Even though I bought the eggs and transported them myself, I let them set 24 hours before putting them in the incubator.

I honestly don't know why I am having such bad luck.

I would like to figure out why your not having successful hatches as well. 2 important questions: do you have a seperate, calibrated thermometer? And a seperate calibrated hygrometer? I briefly used the little giant still air and the digital readings on the incubator were way off what the temp & humidity really was. If you open the egg, just go SLOW. Good luck!