Last week I mentioned that I was testing out the incubator with some of the eggs from the farm girls (due to some crummy hatch results with some shipped eggs) to make sure things were working smoothly.
There are 22 eggs in the incubator.
6 have a hatch date of May 30.
12 have a hatch date of June 3.
The remaining 4 I'm unsure of their development. Either they have really dark shells that make it difficult to candle, or I'm questioning their development progress, thinking they may not be growing any longer.
It takes 21 days of incubation for a chick to come to full growth, and hatch. Granted, this can fluctuate by a couple of days depending on heat, but the incubator has been at a steady 100 (give or take a percentage of a degree) since I set the eggs.
It was crazy! Last night I thought I heard some peeping coming from the incubator. I thought, NAH!! Can't be! They're no where NEAR their hatch date! And all the eggs were still intact -- not a crack to be seen!
Well, I wasn't crazy after all! This morning, a cute little reddish-blonde colored chick hatched! And, it hatched from one of the eggs I set late, with a hatch date of June 3! I can only imagine that I picked up an egg that one of the hens had been sitting on, giving it a head start on growing, but really ... it was the STRANGEST thing going in to turn the eggs and finding a chick! And, what's even crazier...there's another egg that looks like it's about to hatch as well! I'm really not sure how all of this happened. I just know it did. Today was day 13 for the chick and it's egg to be in the incubator ... soooo crazy!
I candled the rest of the eggs, and they all look like they're right on target for their projected hatch day. Saturday should bring 6 chicks, and next Wednesday, a dozen more -- if things go well, that is! And as for the four eggs I'm not sure about ... well, we'll see how things turn out for them too!
They're just excited to hatch and be part of the fun crowd!
Posted by: Lisa Hjulberg | May 28, 2009 at 08:23 PM
Anna, I so enjoy hearing all about your little ones....chicks, large and small, donkeys, calves, goats and your pics are just beautiful. I almost feel like part of your family! I must say I have missed some of your card creations lately....I especially enjoy the "farm" ones. You are just an all around grand lady.
Keep us smilin
Posted by: Debbie | May 27, 2009 at 05:58 PM
Very cool news!
Posted by: Erika M | May 27, 2009 at 04:27 PM
Congratulations again. I can't wait to see the pictures of your new little ones. They are all so darn cute.
Posted by: sandy hill | May 27, 2009 at 09:43 AM
Looks like a "Jack be Quick" or an "Early Girl" to me! Congratulations!
Posted by: Lori Auge - O'Hara | May 27, 2009 at 09:40 AM
Congratulations on your new babies! What a wonderful surprise!
Posted by: Anne | May 27, 2009 at 06:40 AM
SURPRISE, and such a sweet one. :)
Posted by: Carol Dee | May 27, 2009 at 06:32 AM
How cool is that? What will you name it?
Posted by: Lisa | May 26, 2009 at 11:18 PM
Hey Chicken Lady ~~ I am so jealous! It's like Christmas morning each and every time you check your incubator :)))
And of course, I'll be waiting for pics of this new addition. >.
Posted by: Robb_eeie | May 26, 2009 at 11:17 PM