The school hatching project wrapped up this week. I've had such a blast with this whole project from start to finish - from the beginning working with the kids each week, to the final hatch that I was able to share with everyone through the wonders of the internet! My friends at BYC ooh'd and ah'd through the hatching process as it was captured on my webcam. I've moved the cam to the brooder now - you can watch the little guys running around being cute!
Final tally...15 Barred Rocks went in the bator - 13 made it through to day 18 and all 13 hatched. They were lively and strong from the minute I could candle them - not to mention they were packed expertly! Thank you thank you Lisa for sending such wonderful eggs!!
Final hatch % on those - 87%
14 Buff Orpington eggs started - Those eggs were well packed and arrived safely, but were an interesting mix of sizes and colors and porosity. From the start, they did not look as lively as the BRs when candled, and always seemed to be a day behind in development. 12 made it through to day 19 - but 2 of those were iffy - showed development, but no movement, but figured I'd leave them just in case. Of those 12, 7 hatched on their own, and #8 hatched with a lot of help. So, 8 of 12 there - 75%. I feel sure 3 of the bunch would not have been able to completely hatch with out help, but of the 3, 2 of them looked good. Unfortunately the last BO that needed the most help was just too weak and passed away later that same day.
I really can't remember anything in a long time that I got this excited about. Best of all, I got to share the action with the kids in Andrew's class AND the gang at BYC. I took two of the eggs that were close to hatching to the school on Wednesday, and the kids got to see one emerging from the shell - a moment I'm sure many of them will not forget! I really needed something like this to end a rather difficult year on a positive note!
Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!!
PS...In case you missed the hatch....here's a video of one of them hatching out - watching them come of the eggs never gets old - what a miracle and symbol of God's grand design and renewal of life.
