The Poultry Keeper

NannyP · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 5:26 pm Post subject: Nanny's Maran Eggs

When I got home today, Blue had come off the eggs, and they were tepid. I placed them in a container and put them on the windowledge in the sun. Sun has now been replaced with cloud, so I have moved them. I have found a very warm spot, but am having to now move very carefully Speak to the hand

Now before you contact the RSPCA, or even Childline, I do sincerley believe I am doing a decent thing, and after all, MOJO says that Day 25 could be the day.
I will candle them tonight and have a good look and see whether I am brooding infertile eggs. meanwhile, I am having to maintain a very upright posture as I type this.
MOJO and Stamina would be proud of me I'm sure. love7

I am posting this in advance of Deb, who thinks she's gonna have such fun telling hello2

Gina · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 471 Location: Kent

I know it is hard with marans but I think candling is the way to go...I hope that when you candle them you can see enough to know what is happening.

jaydee67 · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 6:05 pm Post subject:

I know of soemoen on another forum who tried incubating two eggs where I imagine you are keeping your eggs warm. I hope they hatch - but if they do be careful of egg splinters!

NannyP · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 6:06 pm Post subject:

Yes, thanks Julia, I am being very careful and have never had such good posture. I'll ache like hell later Laughing

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

oh dear, I can't remember where I read it, sorry I'm always like that. Someone was talking about testing eggs like marans that are very dark by putting them in warm water, water that is a little warmer than the eggs are. I think they are supposed to bob about if they are ok. does anyone else know about this?

NannyP · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 6:29 pm Post subject:

Your're right, again, I'd forgotten. I had tried with them before and got nothing, but water that's a little hotter's a good idea. I'll do that in a second, my back and shoulders are beginiing to ache Laughing

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

how you going to sleep?

debcat · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 6:36 pm Post subject:

LOL
the first ever ducklings my duck hatched ended up where your eggs are after she threw them out of the nest - the warmest place I could think of.
Not very comfy but it does work
Debs

NannyP · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 6:37 pm Post subject:

I tried the water test, nothing happened. I really don't want to make the mistake of opening up the egg and finding a live or half dead chick? Sad

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

maybe they are asleep. I found what I had read and copied it (is that naughty?) Here it is 'Well the correct method and I will say it in full so anyone else if interested can see and this is how I was told is you take a bowl of water and fill it with tepid water place it on a level surface and wait until the water is still then gently place your eggs in and the ones that bob to the top and if they are alive you will proverlay see them move as they are put into the water and float to the top but I am not sure about the way they face though not sure if this matters.' Mojo always says to leave them longer than you think

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

I promised I would tell, and I didn't. Wink

I didn't tell them that you told me to stop making you giggle, that you made me sneeze for you, that................ Razz

NannyP · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 8:12 pm Post subject:

As you and I were discussing this Deb, I was posting this post Laughing

I thought it would give every one a laugh.
I will candle later, and then Summayah, I'll put them back under Blue for the night. That way, she'll do the overnight mothering and then I can take, if need be to work, undercover glasses7

And of course if that Mojo could come along with any further advice, well that'd be great Laughing

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I'm glad that's sorted then ~ I was a bit worried about your night shift. Do they still have to be turned now?

NannyP · Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 9:22 pm Post subject:

Well I candled them, and I seemed to be more confidant about how to do it. I could see that one had never got going, loads of air space. The other looks like it died in the last 2/3 days, I didn't look in the egg, but I could see probably a chick, not moving and beginning to rot.
So, that's that. I am happy with 4 of 6, and no Knobby, I won't have one of your Marans Very Happy

Gina · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 471 Location: Kent

Oh that is a shame but 4 out of 6 is good.