[ponylady]

Popped my 3 hatching eggs into my incubator 24 hours ago, and have just noticed one egg has a black mark which looks like the shell is damaged. Do I ditch this egg now and replace it with another egg which I have to hand? Or continue with finger crossed? I'm assuming its best if I ditch it ...

[Marches Farmer]

If the shell is compromised bacteria may already have entered the egg.  I personally would feel inclined to replace it and mark the late one so you know not to panic when it doesn't hatch on the same day as the others. Fertility is likely to be declining at this time of year anyway.

[ponylady]

That was my gut feeling too ... someone needs to tell my Pekin bantams that their fertility should be dropping, coz theirs isn't!!

[Kimbo]

I wouldn't risk the apparently damaged egg; you don't want it to contaminate the other two.

[ponylady]

I have ditched the suspect egg ... I wasn't totally happy with it. I cracked it open to check if it was fertile, and it was So that bodes well for the 3 in the incubator and the 2 spare eggs  

[doganjo]

What didn't you put them all in together at the same time?  Just curious

[ponylady]

Simple. My incubator only holds 3 large eggs

[doganjo]

Aha  a toaty wan then    Seriously though, I didn't know they made incys that small to be honest.

[ponylady]

Neither did I until I got this at the weekend. Small is best, otherwise I'll hatch anything and everything 

[Clansman]

Neither did I until I got this at the weekend. Small is best, otherwise I'll hatch anything and everything 

Tell me about it!

I started with a 30 egg one, then got an additional 40 egg one, then another 40 then decided to upgrade to a 100 (whilst still using all the others) and now thinking about getting another 100 

[Kimbo]

Keep going Clansman....I just love your photos

[Kimbo]

Nearly the big day Ponylady!
You and I both have chicks due on Friday but mine always come a day early, or even 2 days early. So Ive started watching.
Let us know how you get on.

[Clansman]

Latest brooder pic Kimbo! 

[Kimbo]

Oh WOW! I love these pics. Thank you. A crowd of little sleepy-heads!