Hi TamaraFaye--the only good thing I can say about these eggs is the air cells aren't too large. Maybe they were kept in a dank, cold, Post Office dungeon?:0) I doubt very much that they have been turned regularly. Maybe hurled about sporadically? Really would like to know what the PO was doing with them for over 10 days. The breeder first said he would send the replacements on Tuesday--now he's saying some time next week--he will let me know and send the (useless) tracking #. No mention of insurance. I do think that would help. I will definitely be announcing the moment I get eggs--any eggs. I suspect the Barnevelders will be the last to arrive and hatch. Tomorrow I will try to post pictures of my little flock--I hope I have decent pictures of the Welsummers. They look like baby Golden Eagles.
Incubating "old" eggs?
Catscan ask him to insure the eggs and you'll pay for the insurance. It's very cheap.
Also has anyone ever used a stethoscope on those really dark brown eggs? You should be able to hear a chicks heartbeat with one of those. You might ask at medical supply stores if they have them or used ones for sale. If you are on really good terms with your doctor they might have an old one or know someone with one cheap.
MollyD
Boy, what a great idea, Molly. And to think I gave two stethoscopes away.
Maybe you can borrow them Granny?
MollyD
neat idea Molly!
Yes, cat, insist on insurance or a REFUND!
^_^
Eggs are coming! Eggs are coming! I called the PO this morning--spoke to two people, they were very nice--they told me that eggs had arrived for me today, but the postman had already left with the package. I expained that the late delivery would make it difficult for me to pick them up--they said they would tell the carrier to leave them on my porch. I am going home early to get them! Yea!
Best of luck to you Catscan. ^_^
Catscan I hope they arrived in very good condition so you can hatch many babies out of them. :-) Maybe someday I'll buy some eggs off you!
MollyD
You wouldn't need to buy them, MollyD!
I just sat on the top of the basement stairs with my flahslight and toilet roll and the 12 ancient Barnevelder eggs. I couldn't see spidery veins in any, but it is only day 3. I removed 8 for flagrant TAC and kept 4 for a few more days. It is hard with dark eggs--I'm going to go on Freecycle and see if anyone has a slide projector they want to get rid of--they are suppose to work really well for candling.
What is TAC?
Hi jasmerr--This is my new standard explanation:0):
TAC is just the abbreviation for 'tremulous air cell' which is when the air sac at the top of the egg comes loose and swirls around in the egg instead of staying at the top. It seems to happen a lot when eggs are shipped--probably due to rough handling, but sometimes it is hereditary or due to the hen's nutritional status. Most people say they never hatch, but a few have been successful--so it is hard to just throw one out. Scott the Maineiac came up with the abbreviaton and we just started using it.
Catscan on another thread here someone said that if you let the eggs rest for about 24 hrs they look normal.
Thanks! I'll bear that in mind.
MollyD
Hi MollyD--Mine were still very swirly after 24 hours--I think they were also just old:0(.
I haven't had any luck with letting them sit. I have found that if it floats, it stays that way and does not reattach itself. Of the maybe 30 TAC eggs I have tried, maybe 1 has hatched.
I wonder how to get around the USPS? Has anyone tried UPS or Fed-Ex ? Were results any better with their shipping?
MollyD
Maybe UPS/Fed-Ex will work with eggs, MollyD--they won't take chicks. Does anyone know?