[waterbuffalofarmer]

Thanks for that [member=24384]in the hills[/member]  I am going to check on her in a bit before bed just to see. She only has corn atm I will get chick crumbs tomoz!

[in the hills]

Any news WBF?

[waterbuffalofarmer]

sadly nothing, no sounds or movement. I read just brfore online that if you gently tap the eggs near the bubble they should peep, but if not thrn probsbly dead. I am going to try that later, is it wise?

[in the hills]

Well, I think you can usually hear the chicks cheeping so wouldn't worry about tapping the eggs ..... just in case you break one! We can often hear them even while the eggs are under mum and definitely if you hold the eggs near to your ear. If thee are no signs that any have started to pip I would just leave them alone for a while longer.

Fingers crossed.

[waterbuffalofarmer]

I JUST DID IT JUST NOW VERY LIGHTLY, NO SOUNDS AT ALL AND THEY FEEL LIGHTER, I THINK ITS A DISASTER AGAIN GUYS!

[in the hills]

How many days now?

[waterbuffalofarmer]

23 so far, I will give it 1 more day, if nothing then end of tomoz I am going to break them open, with care, and see what is wrong. I was seriously thinking of giving up ever doing this again, but next time I buy hatching eggs I will pick them up myself and not send for them via the post, as they can throw stuff around. The last time it was the hens fault, inexperienced, now I feel it is  my fault, but I don't know for sure. I rested them for 24 hrs, should it have been longer?

[BrimwoodFarm]

Sorry to hear this.

Hatching eggs are notoriously bad. A 24hr settling period is ample; it's mainly just to try and get the air sacs to reattach. But I've had bad luck with postal eggs. My last batch ended with one fertile, and then it died Day 18. Not only do they get thrown about, but I think micro-fractures can occur on egg too which helps bacterial infection (IMO).

I started my entire flock with hatching eggs and it took AGES as I'd only get 3/4 per batch maximum. As a novice, I then shoved 16 eggs down from my own birds and, you guessed it, got 16 chicks. I'd definitely recommend picking them up if you can - the one time I did this I had a MUCH better hatch.

[in the hills]

 I'd give them a couple more days ...... can't hurt anything.

Some of our larger breed hens have taken a day or two longer than expected .Better safe than sorry.

I'm sure you haven't done anything wrong. Bit of a gamble when buying in eggs I suspect.

[waterbuffalofarmer]

I had to get her off the nest, hats off to her she is brilliant but it sadly wasnt mean't to be. I did the water test, 4 past it. I then decided to see why, so I broke them open. The first exploded and it looked like it hadnt made it past embryo stage. The second one was just brown mush, the third was infertile as were the rest. Well we live and learn I suppose but never again will I order by post.

[Celli]

That's a shame, must be so disappointing

[in the hills]

Ahhh, sorry WBF.

You could try to get some day olds to pop under her?

[waterbuffalofarmer]

I tried to source some but noone has any and those who do are too far away. I think next year I will just be a bit more careful who I get them from and pick them up myself. The best thing is really to have your own cockerel. Can you get warren covkerels or are they a mixed breed?

[Victorian Farmer]

Not good I have 2 incubators one is for people like you're self. Collect eggs and always get 6 more. Candle 7 days you then have the number. 4 days to go check again now let them dry and drink 24 houres  later put under hen. Next day get her of and let nature take its course. And remember they can still  chill as it's still cold. Other method  get a breeder to sell you day old or sext chicks. Don't let it get you dawn you are not alone. 50 terki eggs 2 weeks ago order for terkis 1 hatched 1.50 a egg. So a complete disaster and now more eggs. Even if you no you're stuff it's  luck. Have a nice day.

[Dans]

Oh WBF I'm so sorry to hear that. Do you  have a.candler to check them earlier on next time?

Dans