Charlottechicken Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 I had six ebay purchased eggs in my little incubator, which were due Friday night/Saturday morning. Last night after candling the eggs and seeing nothing happening, I decided to post mortem them. Five were just yellow 'eggy' fluid, although I didn't delve further after peeking into the top of the egg, so I assume infertile? The last one was an almost full term Vorwerk chick, with a still yellow and very large yolk sac, no egg tooth and plenty of fluid around it in the membrane. I've had a complete disaster this year, after being lucky enough to hatch 5 out of six eggs last year and getting five very healthy and strong chicks. This year I have had one light Sussex bantam out of six and now the Vorwerk disaster!! I think I'll go back to the mongrel chickens next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 That's a shame. Perhaps the ebay issue is the main factor? There does seem to be more uncertainty with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted July 12, 2010 Author Share Posted July 12, 2010 I think it has a lot to do with it Egluntyne. Both sellers I bought off this year had extremely good feedback, but I always do a follow up feedback after a hatch, so everyone is aware of the hatch rate. I had three fertile eggs in the first lot this year and only one in the second lot so the odds were stacked against me. The person I bought off last year has a fair bit of follow up feedback which shows that her eggs do hatch, and her stock appears to be strong. I'll be buying off her in future, and sticking to her mongrel bantams and large fowl. I also think for me the cheap incubator and the hot weather haven't helped. I believe the dead chick late on in development can be due to the temperature. Next year I'll be buying eggs for an Easter hatch again! Oh well, live and learn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 The postage of the eggs probably has a lot to do with things, also some people on ebay wait for the eggs to be laid, if they dont have many of the breed the eggs may be a few days old before the ad goes up then the auction needs to finish then they go in the post! always try to get them local if possible and eggs 2-4 days old I dont think it has much to do with the fact they are pure breeds, most lines are not inbred and generally fertility is good, the breeder also needs to check fertility and ask themselves if they would be happy to sell the eggs, my gold laced dottes and Pekins have all been good fertility and I would be confident to pass the eggs on but my barred dottes are not so good so i'd hesitate to let those go (I dont sell eggs before anyone pulls me up for advertising!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted July 18, 2010 Share Posted July 18, 2010 I know how you feel, I've been rubbish with the chicks this year Set 20 and got nothing, because of incy problems I think, then set 12 and got 7 ... which are all boys I'd get the eggs locally/posted from a reputable breeder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
