Who has purchased eggs from ebay ? and what was your hatch rate ?

[GeorgRodway]

Well the temps have been 37-38 the whole time. I can not believe it. They are large fowl they are light sussex eggs. I don't have an explanation for it, the humidity s been around 65-70% for the last 2 days. The chick that's hatched is now dry and fluffy, he seems to be hungry looking for things to peck at do I feed him ? The one that's piped is chirping loudly, so tempted to help but I know your not supposed to, he has a nice size whole so hoping hell be out by this evening, my little chick only took a couple of hours.

 

[starlingdaly]

I am impressed by your little one out already! Don't worry, she's not hungry yet. She's got leftover egg yolk in her belly to tide her over for three days. the pecking is just being a curious youngster.
Leaving her in with the pipped chick may encourage it to hatch sooner! Best leave it in.
I wouldn't help a chick until it's past 21 days and everyone else has hatched. She's probably fine and just talking to your first chickie.

Sometimes chicks hatch early for no reason, but since they are Sussex, the only other thing I can think of is temperature. I know you said it's been even the whole time but is there a chance your thermometer runs one degree warm? I have a digital one that does that that I don't use anymore.

 

[GeorgRodway]

S/he is a strong little one for a day 19 chick. Does that not kill the chicks being too warm? God these 2 won't shut up lol. My little chick is making her hole bigger. Hopefully will be out soon

 

[Ms Steak]

It doesn`t sound like you need to help it.

 

[starlingdaly]

S/he is a strong little one for a day 19 chick. Does that not kill the chicks being too warm? God these 2 won't shut up lol. My little chick is making her hole bigger. Hopefully will be out soon

Good good!
Early hatchers usually are quite healthy and strong! It's the late hatchers you sometimes have to worry about. So far every chick I've had to hatch last had some degree of curled toes, but it's always been fixable.
It shouldn't be to warm in the incubator for her. It's a good temp for the first few days. It should be a little cooler now than when you were incubating, though. Maybe 36?
If your second one is zipping already she should indeed be out soon.

 

[GeorgRodway]

Aw I'm glad to know that, who knew this home made bator would be this good lol! I have 6 more to hatch including the one that's piping ! Trying my best not to name the little cuties as I'm selling them when they are older.

 

[starlingdaly]

Hehehe. I have thought about making and incubator but I think that will be a project for next year.
I name all of mine if I can think of enough names, no matter what their future.

 

[Sonja73]

Go Georgia Go!!!

 

[Sonja73]

It can be normal for small breeds!
All my bantam/silkie eggs had pipped between day 18-19 and most hatched on day 20. Everyone was out by 21!

Sonja73, I would love to give your eggs a shot, what kinds of birds to do you breed and sell from?

Oesdog, the pedialyte is a good idea. Also try equal parts warm water and honey. That's been very helpful with my chicks when any start acting lethargic.

starlingdaly-I hope my post did not come across as I was selling myself! That was not my intent at all, I just wanted to share my experience so that others do not make the same costly mistakes that I have!

The only eggs I have are my laced lavender Orpington experiment eggs, as all my others are sold months in advance. I forgot to mention in my earlier post, ALSO ask about fertility checks. I do checks once a month, and post pictures of the chicks so people can get a good idea of what they are going to get. Basically, look for sellers that are upfront, honest and obviously take pride in their birds. When I do fertility checks is when I buy an assortment of hatching eggs, I mean, I would hate to have any empty space in the incubator, hehehe.

 

[starlingdaly]

starlingdaly-I hope my post did not come across as I was selling myself! That was not my intent at all, I just wanted to share my experience so that others do not make the same costly mistakes that I have!

The only eggs I have are my laced lavender Orpington experiment eggs, as all my others are sold months in advance. I forgot to mention in my earlier post, ALSO ask about fertility checks. I do checks once a month, and post pictures of the chicks so people can get a good idea of what they are going to get. Basically, look for sellers that are upfront, honest and obviously take pride in their birds. When I do fertility checks is when I buy an assortment of hatching eggs, I mean, I would hate to have any empty space in the incubator, hehehe.

Such great advice! I love when people are so truly helpful! Thank you, sonja!
Do you have any pictures of your laced lavenders? That sounds so cool. I have a young pullet (7 or 8 weeks) that's a lavender orpington. She's one of my favorite chicks right now. Orpingtons have great personalities.

Out of curiousity, what breeds are they that sell out months in advance? (I would love to one day have that problem! Haha)


I second that, no empty spaces in the incubator.



Georg, I'm waiting on the edge of my seat for those fluffbutt pictures!!!