Make this make sense... (hatching shipped eggs)

[Windy136]

The first time I hatched shipped eggs I had 100% hatch rate on 18 eggs. I truly believe it was beginners luck because I did NOTHING right. I didn't allow them to sit 24 hrs, my humidity was high, and I messed with them way too much (candling almost everyday ha ha). Obviously the next batch I hatched I did the same exact thing and had about a 25% hatch rate, makes sense. Since then I have had a 100% hatch on some of my own eggs, and a 50% hatch on another batch of shipped eggs.

I have read a lot and Im trying to make sense of a few things. I completely understand the importance of allowing your shipped eggs to rest for at least 24 hours, large end up. I feel like I have my temp. and humidity on point. I have a Brinsea Maxi 24 EX Connect, the temp. and humidity don't fluctuate and I can watch it on my phone 24/7. What Im just not getting is why is it recommended to leave shipped eggs upright or at a 45 degree angle until lockdown, and for some even at lockdown? I know the air cell can be compromised during shipping but wouldn't a few days of allowing things to settle suffice?

My mind keeps going to "in nature hens don't incubate their eggs upright", and all of these big named companies have made their incubators for eggs to be side lying during the incubation period. I know there are some incubators that have them upright, but you get where Im going with this.

Im still a newby to all of this so I could just completely be missing something and if I am please let me know. I truly want to understand. My frustration is that I want the best hatch rates possible but also want to be able to utilize my incubator and not have to hand turn multiple times a day since my turner will only work if my eggs are side lying.

Thank you for the help!

 

[Island Coppers]

Windy136​

"wouldn't a few days of allowing things to settle suffice?"

Likely, but what if it didn't. You could candle the eggs and check. If the air sacs haven't stabilized you don't want to start moving them around.

"in nature hens don't incubate their eggs upright"

In nature eggs don't get shipped in the back of big trucks for hundreds of miles. Keeping them somewhat upright insures the air sac will be where the chick head will be, with any luck.
I'm certainly no expert, someone else will chime in shortly..
Best luck!

 

[Ridgerunner]

The first time I hatched shipped eggs I had 100% hatch rate on 18 eggs. I truly believe it was beginners luck because I did NOTHING right. I didn't allow them to sit 24 hrs, my humidity was high, and I messed with them way too much (candling almost everyday ha ha). Obviously the next batch I hatched I did the same exact thing and had about a 25% hatch rate, makes sense. Since then I have had a 100% hatch on some of my own eggs, and a 50% hatch on another batch of shipped eggs.

You keep reading in here to expect a 50% hatch rate with shipped eggs. You even had one! A lot of things are out of your control. You don't know what went on before the eggs were packaged and shipped and you don't know what happened during shipment. My experience is that that the 50% isn't a bad average for shipped eggs if you have enough hatches but I expect to do quite well or really badly.

What Im just not getting is why is it recommended to leave shipped eggs upright or at a 45 degree angle until lockdown, and for some even at lockdown? I know the air cell can be compromised during shipping but wouldn't a few days of allowing things to settle suffice?

When I incubate shipped eggs I put them in my turner which keeps them upright for 18 days, then I lay them down to hatch. That's not to allow the air cell to continue to settle, it's just how my incubator and turner work. I start the turner when the eggs go in the incubator.

In my opinion you are going to get the most benefit of settling in the first day or two. After that I'd expect any benefit to be minuscule, if any. But if you can incubate them on end it will not hurt them. If you can, why not do it.

My mind keeps going to "in nature hens don't incubate their eggs upright", and all of these big named companies have made their incubators for eggs to be side lying during the incubation period. I know there are some incubators that have them upright, but you get where Im going with this.

The big name companies don't bounce their eggs around enough to mess up the air cell. With your 100% hatch rates the post office did not either. So they are not dealing with the same potential issues.

One of their concerns when they have 60,000 or even 120,000 eggs in one incubator, is that the eggs can generate a lot of heat from the body heat of the chicks, especially late in incubation and "lockdown". With that many eggs they need to control the heat on all levels. Otherwise the eggs in the center can be cooked. They are dealing with other issues than we are.

My frustration is that I want the best hatch rates possible but also want to be able to utilize my incubator and not have to hand turn multiple times a day since my turner will only work if my eggs are side lying.

I understand your frustration. I really like having an automatic turner. I don't have the perfect solution. You've probably considered getting a different incubator but that can be expensive. Maybe candle them as Island Coppers mentioned and make a decision based on that. Or take your chances and lay them down after a few days.

 

[Windy136]

You keep reading in here to expect a 50% hatch rate with shipped eggs. You even had one! A lot of things are out of your control. You don't know what went on before the eggs were packaged and shipped and you don't know what happened during shipment. My experience is that that the 50% isn't a bad average for shipped eggs if you have enough hatches but I expect to do quite well or really badly.


When I incubate shipped eggs I put them in my turner which keeps them upright for 18 days, then I lay them down to hatch. That's not to allow the air cell to continue to settle, it's just how my incubator and turner work. I start the turner when the eggs go in the incubator.

In my opinion you are going to get the most benefit of settling in the first day or two. After that I'd expect any benefit to be minuscule, if any. But if you can incubate them on end it will not hurt them. If you can, why not do it.


The big name companies don't bounce their eggs around enough to mess up the air cell. With your 100% hatch rates the post office did not either. So they are not dealing with the same potential issues.

One of their concerns when they have 60,000 or even 120,000 eggs in one incubator, is that the eggs can generate a lot of heat from the body heat of the chicks, especially late in incubation and "lockdown". With that many eggs they need to control the heat on all levels. Otherwise the eggs in the center can be cooked. They are dealing with other issues than we are.


I understand your frustration. I really like having an automatic turner. I don't have the perfect solution. You've probably considered getting a different incubator but that can be expensive. Maybe candle them as Island Coppers mentioned and make a decision based on that. Or take your chances and lay them down after a few days.

Thank you for the reply! You make a lot of valid points, and I didn't realize that . I think I will candle and see what the air cell looks like and go from there. The ones I have currently are dark and make it a little more challenging, but I'll definitely give it my best shot.

 

[Windy136]

Windy136​

"wouldn't a few days of allowing things to settle suffice?"

Likely, but what if it didn't. You could candle the eggs and check. If the air sacs haven't stabilized you don't want to start moving them around.

"in nature hens don't incubate their eggs upright"

In nature eggs don't get shipped in the back of big trucks for hundreds of miles. Keeping them somewhat upright insures the air sac will be where the chick head will be, with any luck.
I'm certainly no expert, someone else will chime in shortly..
Best luck!

Thank you, I am going to check the air cells this evening. This batch of eggs are dark and so it makes it harder to see inside. I appreciate your reply.