YO GEORGIANS! :)

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livhatcher said:
I know...the problem is that hatching is like childbirth to me...I have selective amnesia about what went right & what went wrong. The eggs in the mini are so wiggly and vigorous. They have lost an avg 4% of their weight since starting. The ones in the maxi have lost an avg of 2%...do you think that means they are just behind? Temp too low and slowing? I never had a side by side to compare with, so this is new. *breathing into a paper bag* I just want them all to grow & be happy hatchers. It's tough.
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Funny thing about hatching eggs is that we can do everything right, but there are some things out of our control that affect the hatch rate. For example, there is a breeder in particular in GA where Lisa likes to get her Silkie eggs. The hatch rates are extremely low (-40%), yet the birds that do hatch are show quality and absolutely stunning. Then again, hatching eggs she gets from another breeder of Silkies hatch at a very high rate (+80%) but the quality of the birds in not as good. I don't know if it's differences of quality control between the two breeders or what, but that's just how it works out. In a sense I would like to drop getting hatching eggs from the breeder that provides eggs with the low hatching rate, but the quality of the hatchlings are so stunning that we will continue to get birds from their lines. I'll try to provide some pictures if I can remember.

Also, in our last hatch we had eggs from the same breeder, but different varieties of chickens. Some varieties had very high hatching rates (and different hatching days!), and others had a very poor hatching rate. I know this is anecdotal, but out of five Breda eggs, only one hatched, a beautiful cuckoo pullet. Yet, we had a great hatch rate for our Crele Orpingtons. They were in the same incubator at the same time and from the same breeder, so my hunch in that the variation in hatching rates in our case had more to do with the variety of chickens than anything that we were or were not doing.
The bottom line is that I no longer stress over hatching eggs. Of course I'm not happy when I get a poor hatch, and I have had many of those, but I realize I cannot control it all. Some things I just leave in the hands of God, and that takes away the stress.
missy1971 said:
Well I'm pretty sure my Lulu is about to start laying. She just started with her going into a crouch and letting me pick her up...whatever that's called. And she sticks her butt in the air when I scratch it I can see her vent contracting..lol ...aren't those signs she is getting ready to lay?
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LOL...yup, sounds like she's getting close. I hope it's soon! I know you're going to be thrilled! :D
AfroChickens said:
Sounds awesome! Morrow is about ten minutes from where I stay in.
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Let us know how it works out for you! :)
AfroChickens said:
I am a little too young to make the technical errors that I have made with this website. I somehow replied within a quote. Haha
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I'm still trying to learn this new software. Some things are better, but some are more confusing.
 
Look what a beautiful egg I got soooo pretty. It really is that dark. Derrik sold some chickens and I thought they got her, so glad they didn't.
 

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It's still in the incubator all wet! Will get one when the hatch is over.

Also, just was able to see that my Naked Neck's dad was the Crested Cream Legbar so it will have a cute crest and lay colored eggs! Hope it's a girl!
 
brucifer said:
Funny thing about hatching eggs is that we can do everything right, but there are some things out of our control that affect the hatch rate. For example, there is a breeder in particular in GA where Lisa likes to get her Silkie eggs. The hatch rates are extremely low (-40%), yet the birds that do hatch are show quality and absolutely stunning. Then again, hatching eggs she gets from another breeder of Silkies hatch at a very high rate (+80%) but the quality of the birds in not as good. I don't know if it's differences of quality control between the two breeders or what, but that's just how it works out. In a sense I would like to drop getting hatching eggs from the breeder that provides eggs with the low hatching rate, but the quality of the hatchlings are so stunning that we will continue to get birds from their lines. I'll try to provide some pictures if I can remember.

Also, in our last hatch we had eggs from the same breeder, but different varieties of chickens. Some varieties had very high hatching rates (and different hatching days!), and others had a very poor hatching rate. I know this is anecdotal, but out of five Breda eggs, only one hatched, a beautiful cuckoo pullet. Yet, we had a great hatch rate for our Crele Orpingtons. They were in the same incubator at the same time and from the same breeder, so my hunch in that the variation in hatching rates in our case had more to do with the variety of chickens than anything that we were or were not doing.
The bottom line is that I no longer stress over hatching eggs. Of course I'm not happy when I get a poor hatch, and I have had many of those, but I realize I cannot control it all. Some things I just leave in the hands of God, and that takes away the stress.
Click to expand...

I always keep in mind I can't control the eggs, but I do try to keep an eye on what my machines are doing. Right now I'm a little concerned that my maxi is running a little low temp, but don't have a solid back up thermometer that will fit inside. The one that I rely on for humidity usually is acting kind of crazy and the temp has never been accurate on it. Or, maybe the mini is running a bit hot? Who knows?! Trying to keep a level head about it.
 

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