I had 3 Swedish Flower Hen eggs in the incubator and all were developing nicely at day 6 when another of my girls went broody. Once I was sure the broody was broody to stay, I took the 3 'bator eggs out to give to her. That's when tragedy struck...
I dropped one! While it didn't burst open, it had a dent in it with spider web shaped cracks running from it - - about the size of a nickel. Needless to say I was horrified as this was one of my first 3 fertile Swedish Flower Hen eggs since I lost my beautiful Gunnar to an accidental poisoning when the neighbors had an exterminator out. (That's a story for a different day.)
I did what any less-than-sane chicken woman would do... took the egg back inside and stuck a piece of medical tape over the cracks and dent, and stuck it in the incubator. (I mean really - I wouldn't want it to burst under the broody and harm the other eggs, for goodness sake!)
I candled the egg the next day and to my amazement, saw movement in it!
That was 2 weeks ago. Today I went to candle the egg (due to hatch on Monday) and found an external pip! The tape was on part of the egg where the chick should zip, so unfortunately I had no choice but to remove it. When I did, part of the shell came off too. So, knowing that my own incubator doesn't hold humidity well and that in this predicament the chick would be likely to get shrink wrapped, I took it out and slipped it under the hen - and this time I didn't drop it!
(Perhaps one can see why I have been such a butter-fingers lately.)
Now I'm holding my breath in hopes that it will be able to successfully hatch even though the shell of the egg is compromised. I figure the moisture from the broody hen's body will help prevent shrink wrapping.
Needless to say, I'm quite amazed the egg continued to develop after its little accident.
I'll try to post an update when I know what happens!
*
Oh - and if you haven't heard yet, there is a "Cutest Chick Photo Contest" over on the Les Farms FaceBook fan page. Check it out HERE. The winner gets a Brinsea EcoGlow!!!
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Update - 7:50 PM EST, 08/04/2013:
I'm pleased to announce the chick from the broken egg has hatched. It is perfectly healthy and the new mom is taking great care of her 3 new babies. Yippeeee!
I dropped one! While it didn't burst open, it had a dent in it with spider web shaped cracks running from it - - about the size of a nickel. Needless to say I was horrified as this was one of my first 3 fertile Swedish Flower Hen eggs since I lost my beautiful Gunnar to an accidental poisoning when the neighbors had an exterminator out. (That's a story for a different day.)
I did what any less-than-sane chicken woman would do... took the egg back inside and stuck a piece of medical tape over the cracks and dent, and stuck it in the incubator. (I mean really - I wouldn't want it to burst under the broody and harm the other eggs, for goodness sake!)
I candled the egg the next day and to my amazement, saw movement in it!
That was 2 weeks ago. Today I went to candle the egg (due to hatch on Monday) and found an external pip! The tape was on part of the egg where the chick should zip, so unfortunately I had no choice but to remove it. When I did, part of the shell came off too. So, knowing that my own incubator doesn't hold humidity well and that in this predicament the chick would be likely to get shrink wrapped, I took it out and slipped it under the hen - and this time I didn't drop it!
(Perhaps one can see why I have been such a butter-fingers lately.)
Needless to say, I'm quite amazed the egg continued to develop after its little accident.
I'll try to post an update when I know what happens!
*
Oh - and if you haven't heard yet, there is a "Cutest Chick Photo Contest" over on the Les Farms FaceBook fan page. Check it out HERE. The winner gets a Brinsea EcoGlow!!!
*
Update - 7:50 PM EST, 08/04/2013:
I'm pleased to announce the chick from the broken egg has hatched. It is perfectly healthy and the new mom is taking great care of her 3 new babies. Yippeeee!
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Can't wait for Monday! Please update us when you find out!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! So happy it survived! This is Gunners' baby?
ReplyDeleteNo - these are the first Swedish Flower Hen chicks hatched from our newest roos from Greenfire Farms - someone else had too many GF roosters and allowed me to have 2 of theirs. I'm very thankful to have such kind people as friends.
DeleteI am lucky to have 3 of Gunnar's daughters and 2 of his sons in my flock. His oldest son has just come of breeding age.
Bulldogma, that is wonderful news. miss you at byc.
ReplyDeletelala
Lala - I miss you too! We'd sure love to see you over on the new Forum (Click Here!) You'll recognize quite a few faces on the new forum I believe. :-)
DeleteLeigh