I wanted to start some eggs this winter so by next spring we can move our new group outside. My question is...if I take the eggs from my hens out in the house are they too cold to grow? It is around 30 degrees here, and if I get the eggs after a few hours is it too late? Should I wait until I can grab one right after it is laid? Or will it be ok as long as I put it in an incubator?
I couldnt find any info on this particular question.
How cold is too cold to incubate eggs?
Do they lay around the same time everyday? Maybe you can catch them warm???
I marked 4 eggs for my always broody partridge silkie, Lori, on the 26th to hatch or atleast try to. But the largest white silkie has stolen them. I plan to bring them in as soon as they are ready to hatch and put them in the incubator.
They are off and on with when they lay, but mostly in the early morning. I was just excited today because I got one egg from every hen so I thought it would be neat to try to hatch one from each of them. :) Maybe I will wait for a few days and see if i can collect one from each hen. I only have two of the same breed...so at least the eggs look different anyway. But Wouldnt it be cool to see what their crosses would look like!
All you can do is try. Mother hens will lay an egg a day for several days then sit on them. I don't know what that low of a temp would do to the hatch rate. Let us know what you try and how it goes!
Megan
As long as they are not frozen and cracked you'll be OK
I collect and hatch eggs all winter
My hens seem to lay throughout the day, even as late as 4pm !!! I find it extremely frustrating. I know on the weekends I go out several times during the day and collect eggs, often finding eggs that are still warm. My son collects Mon-Fri as I am at work. He can be intimidated by the hens if they are "guarding" eggs...lol. I find it funny.
I know they recommend you "store" eggs that will be incubated in a cool room 50ish I believe. If you think about it 50-55 is going to feel pretty chilled to the touch of a human hand. If you get an egg that has been laid in the coop inside a warm straw lined nest box shortly after laying (within an hour) it actually might be viable. What will it hurt to let them rest a couple days (right side up) and then slip them in the bator. If after 5 days you don't see any growth you will know you have to get to the eggs sooner -or- your roo isn't doing his thing...lol.
I am trying soooooooooooooooo hard not to incubate anything at this time but it's so hard to resist. My silkie hens have been broody (2 just gave up trying to hatch golf balls) but I know I have ATLEAST 3 more months of winter.
Good luck and let us know your results !!!!
Julie
I'm anxious to see what this guy throws for me !!
Stupid question, Backyard said she was getting tiny eggs from her silkies, I got a few too, blew them out for my odd egg collection. If I hatched one and it made it would it be a tiny chicken or like a premie baby, catching up to the others later???
Great ideas. I just got done building the most incredible incubator! I went and bought a digital thermometer that has an on/off switch, and I built in an adjustable vent, and it has a viewing window, and it is styrofome...We will see how well it works. I think since I was lucky enough to get one egg from each hen I will put them in there for a few days and see how it goes. I will add some pictures as I get them.
Since I had to burry my colt yesterday this is my way of coping...to have new babies be born.
LoraK
If you are talking about those eggs the size of a robins eggs,I tried
Never had one be fertile
If you are talking about the smallish eggs that bantam pullets lay
(ones that are normal but on the small side)
those are the ones bantam breeders like to hatch cause they're the best chance
hatch the smallest birds
Thanks Crestedchick! Mine are small for banties but not super tiny. Why I asked was I didn't get a chance to blow out one of the small eggs, it was in the pantry closet and when I did they there was a big blood blob so my brain started thinking......small egg.......small chicken?????
mcamden......so sorry to hear about your colt. If it ok can you tell what happened. Again Our deepest condolences
Lora and Doug
Hey Lora, Yes. I am better today knowing that my colt (Pablo) is no longer in pain. He was born with a congenital birth defect. He has oversized growth plates in both of his front legs, and the bones on top of those plates were pointed rather then flat. Therefor...his legs could not sit straight. The bones would basically 'slip' off the grown plate causing him to walk crooked.
I knew something was wrong the second he was born, but several vets came out and said that this happened all the time, and it would heal itself. After 3 weeks I called the vets again to come out and said this was not normal. When they came my vet was brought to tears. He said that he believed nothing could save him but surgery. They left that night and came then brought about a bone/leg specialist and took x-rays. The other vet said he could feel how deformed they were and didn’t think we would be able to do anything.
After the x-rays came back they said there was some hope, and they wanted to try casts. They said if we could get the legs strong enough he could possible support his body while the bones were corrected.
The casts came off Thursday after Christmas, and there was no improvement. We gave him 24 hours to see if he gained any strength...but it was no use. Friday evening he was down, and did not want to stand again. I called the vets office in tears and asked them to come as soon as possible to put him out of his pain.
It was a horrible experience for me, and I loved him dearly. It was also sad because I had waited to geld my stallion until after his birth because I was worried that this foal may not be healthy. We didn’t know my mare was pregnant until June this year. Since 3 vets said he would be fine, and this was normal...I went through with castrating my stallion. This colt was my last horse I would have, so it is very sad that I had to put him down at only two months old.
Thats so sad. No wonder your heartbroken
Lora
mcamden wrote;" went through with castrating my stallion."
When? Not to raise false hope, but;
"The only veterinary documentation I can find (not just anyone) says viable sperm can be ejaculated up to 3 weeks or a month after gelding, but they still say to seperate for 4-6weeks. I have yet to find one that says longer. Most say less if they say at all. 3 - 5 days is what a lot say. Quite a range, but hardly 3 months! I'd like to see that documentation.
Here is a good explaination:
With gelding comes an immediate cessation in the production of sperm cells, yet newly gelded horses have impregnated mares. This is due to the presence of the ampulla, a sperm reservoir at the end of the vas deferens. Because the ampulla is not removed during gelding, a gelding can potentially settle a mare for up to one month after castration. After one month, the sperm that were stored in the ampulla at the time of castration are no longer viable."
I know from experience that a neutered male dog can impregnate a female a month (to the day) after surgery, but don't have the documented info about horses, tho I'm looking....
I am not quite sure what you are saying Catmad. THe father was gelded about one week after my colt was born. That was 9 weeks ago. We didnt know for sure until last Thursday that my colt was not going to survive.
I could always look for another stallion for my mare, but I have gotten down to 3 horses. Mother, father, and son...so this last colt was my fourth. To bring in a half sibling would make a typical family I suppose. But I am not sure I wnat to just 'find another stud'. Maybe if I find a horse some day who needs help...then I can be available to take it in.
Okay, I thought it might have been more recent, I couldn't quite figure out the time line. Sorry.
NO problem. I wish it would have been. I wish I would have had the chance to have another baby from my mare and stud who I raised from foals. But things in life happen, and sometimes there isnt anything we can do about it. I will just hatch some new chicks and that will help me see the circle of life.
Now you've got my eyes leaking again.....
Don't worry. I have spent two months crying about this baby. He was the absolute sweetest colt in the world. He would put on his own halter if I left it hanging over the wall. He followed me around the stall, and I spent several night laying with him to keep him down and resting. I was working with vets all over the world, and one of them found this poem...that made me cry uncontrollably.
God's Foal
I'll lend you for a little while
My grandest foal, He said,
For you to love while he's alive
And mourn for when he's dead.
It may be one or twenty years,
Or days or months, you see.
But, will you, till I take him back,
Take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you,
And should his stay be brief,
You'll have treasured memories
To bring solace in your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught on earth
I want this foal to learn.
I've looked the wide world over
In my search for teachers true.
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes
With trust I have selected you.
Now will you give him your total love,
Nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come
To take him back again?
mcamden-I am so sorry for your loss, my heart breaks for you. What a beautiful little guy he was. That poem is really neat also, I have a version that was sent to me when my youngest son was born, about God loaning a child. Gabe was almost 8 weeks early, and had a traumatic birth. The poem really makes sense though.
Jab91864-I just have to ask; what kind of roo is that? He is very handsome, as well as the lady behind him.
mcamden I am so sorry for your loss. It's a tragic story. The only comfort is he won't suffer any longer.
Brahma, that is my Blue Laced Red Wyandotte and one of his hens behind him. He is a very nice bird both in looks and personality. I hatched him from an egg this past spring.
Julie
He is only about 6 mos old in these photos, I need to get something more recent.
Julie
mcamden, there's more to the poem...
"I fancied that I heard them say
'Dear Lord Thy Will Be Done'
For all the joys this foal will bring,
the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness,
We'll love him while we may.
And for the happiness we've known,
Forever grateful stay.
But should you call him back to you,
Much sooner than we planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
And try to understand.
If, by our love we've managed now
Your wishes to achieve,
In memory of the foal we loved,
Please help us while we grieve.
So when our cherished lttle one
Departs this world of strife,
Please send yet another needing soul,
For us to Love....for Life.
Oh my...as you bring tears to my eyes again! Thank you. That poem, partial or compolete is a wonderful poem. Thank you for sharing the ending of it with me.
mcamden -
I found a link to a current discussion regarding your original question about the eggs. I found it very enlightening.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=26549
Apparently they have successfully hatched eggs that have been in the refrigerator. I wouldn't have thought they would be viable but I guess ya just never know.
Julie
Jab-what a handsome guy :) I've seen pics on the hatchery websites of that breed, but the artsy (not real photo) pic just doesn't really portray them does it!
I bought the eggs from a lady on this forum .... QueenB. Actually on byc I think she is blisschick and I found her on that forum and made the purchase there. After the fact I found she was a DG member...small world.
I compare my hatchery birds to the birds I've hatched from private breeders and in MOST cases the stock from the private breeders is better size/color/formation. If you are truly interested you should send a d-mail to Queen and see if she can hook you up with some eggs rather than buy from a hatchery.
Even non-chicken ppl who come to the house comment on how eye catching the BLRW's are.
Julie =0)
I checked out that thread and was shocked! I cant believe that some eggs were hatched even after being in a fridge for 24 hours! I went ahead and put my best eggs in. I then got really crazy and developed, engineered, and built some turners that have levers coming out the front of my incubator so I can turn them without opening the lid and letting all the warm air out. I checked all last night and was able to maintain the temperature between 100-102. hopefully it doesnt get too hot or colt today while I am here at work!
I guess all we can do is see what happens. I am pretty impressed with my homeade incubator though. :)
Ok, I demand you post pics of the homemade incubator with the turner!!
LOL... I've done the homemade incubator but not the turner, I think it's beyond me but please post pics
Good luck with the hatch and keep us updated !!
Julie
I will try to remember to take some pictures tonight. Keep in mind...this is a MANUAL turner. Although...you should have seen the look on my sweethearts face when I showed him the coolest thing I ever made!
Hey manual turner is fine, you can do it without opening which makes it awesome !!!
Looking forward to pics!!
Julie =0)
Ok...I put the pics on a new thread. I wasnt going to...but I know other threads had people asking about making these...so I thought I would share it with everyone! Temp stayed at 100.4 all day! YEAH !
Mcamden, thank you for the beautiful poem that
brought tears to my eyes. I am so sorry for your
loss, and can not imagine losing my mare, Sophie.
I have always loved them (no matter the species) for
all of thier lives, and when He decides it is time for
them to come home, it is always difficult.
I truly hope your new chick-a-bator works great, I
think it looks like a dandy! You sound as if your
'broodiness' is doing your spirit some good! I will be
checking your chick-a-bator thread often to see how the
eggs are coming along.
Thank you. Loosing him was a great tragedy. I am doing better knowing he is no longer in pain, and while it was a valient effort...I had the thought it was fruitless for most of it. Paying the final bill was fun though. :) I could have bought a couple of new, and trained horses for what I paid to try to save him. But no matter what I wouldnt have changed a thing. I could never give up so easily, or stand by as someone or something suffered.
I am hopeful for my chickens! I plan to try to get photo's of the embryos tonight...and will post what I can get.
Wow, maybe you can backlight them to get a pic.
Of course you had to try for your colt. He was out of
'your's', and you wanted that for a reason. Plus, you
were told early on that help was possible. How could
you not give it a heartfelt try?