So I started the 3rd round of eggs in the incubator on Monday...Round one was a flop as they were all duds, nothing fertile. Round 2 got to 21 days and after waiting an extra 2 days on the first round of eggs to find they were all unfertilized, I got a little impatient at day 21. Nothing had pipped and the egg candling was inconclusive so I decided to diagnose my failures by cracking open the eggs. I started out carefully cracking the first egg only to find it was just like all the eggs I cracked open a week ago after that failed attempt. Second egg more of the same. After the third and fourth egg generated the same result I have to admit I didn't have much hope and wasn't as careful as I should have been with the last egg. As soon as I cracked the egg I heard CHIRP, CHIRP, CHIRP and felt both excitement and dread at the same time. I now had a premature baby chick and I wasn't sure it was going to make it. After carefully watching it for several hours, it managed to make it to its feet and stumble around. I felt sure it wasn't going to make it though the night. It did. It seemed pretty strong, but started to go downhill quickly the next night. Sadly it didn't make it and kicking myself vowed to let these eggs go for 24 days if that is what they need. So these should hatch on Monday Nov 21st if the incubator conditions stay where they are supposed to. I hoped to get some pictures of our setup, but the camera is at the cabin, maybe tomorrow...
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