I set two eggs early because my American hen stopped laying and I really wanted to hatch some of her eggs. They're still in the incubator. I can't tell yet if they're fertile or not. Green eggs are extremely hard to candle!
Last night, David brought home his multimeter (something like this) from work so I could use that to double check the thermometer that came with the incubator. I wanted to be sure the eggs would be kept at the right temperature. The multimeter temp was reading 2 degrees cooler than the cheapo thermometer that came with the bator.
I put 18 of my brown eggs into the incubator at midnight, the morning of the 5th, after I adjusted the temperature. I woke up this morning and the temperature was reading several degrees too high, so I really hope the eggs weren't damaged!
Now the temperature is under control, and we should be good.
And what did I find in the mail today?!!
Eggs all the way from Squash Blossom Farm, halfway around the country! Susan sent me 7 beautiful eggs, and they arrived just on time, safe and sound!! I unpacked them, marked them (an "X" on one side, and SB on both sides so I could tell them apart), and got them in the incubator (which is pretty darn full now).
So, hopefully we'll have some chicks soon. 21 days is awfully long time to wait if you're impatient, like me.
Ooh, and more exciting news. Savannah (the visiting goat) was bred today! She's going to stay for at least 21 more days to make sure she doesn't come into heat again though.
5 comments:
I'll cross my fingers for you that the temperature swings didn't hurt the eggs. I can't wait to see if they hatch. That was so great of Susan to send you those eggs! It's going to be a long 21 days, isn't it?
I can't remember... are chicken eggs the ones you can't turn or do you have to rotate them?
You have to rotate them several times a day (the automatic turners do 6 times/day) up until the last few days. Then they go on "lockdown" and you don't open the bator at all. This makes sure the humidity stays where it needs to be, and the eggs don't get turned because the chicks are getting themselves into position to be hatched. :)
To cool! Fingers crossed little chickies will be born in a few weeks.
I am so glad the eggs made it to Maryland intact! I sure hope they hatch--it will be delightful to see my chickens' first offspring.
I sure hope they hatch while I'm there!! Wahoo! I had no idea about the lock down stage!! I learn so much here Katie! Love you, Momma Today's nonsense word: Braim- what my head feels like when I wake up too early on a Saturday!
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