Holding
And Switching Eggs
There
are often times, at least for some breeders to switch eggs under
foster parents for one reason or another. This is easily done,
but the timing of incubation with both pairs needs to be similar.
Usually, if the sets of eggs are laid within 3 days of each other,
the switch goes uneventfully.
If the babies hatch too early, the foster parents will not have
sufficient crop milk, and the babies will perish or develop poorly.
If they hatch too late, the foster parents may desert the eggs
or already be on the downside of crop milk production.
To
achieve the proper timing, eggs frequently need to be "held"
before the foster parents have eggs of their own. I have heard
many ways of successfully doing this, but what I am going to relate
here is what I have experienced personally.
A few years ago I did a lot of egg switching as I rotated hens
on the breeding cocks. A cadre of "pumpers" was kept.
I always attempted to get the eggs to time out correctly, but
often they did not. This results, usually, in holding eggs until
a pumper pair lays.
Eggs
can be easily held for 3 to 5 days at room temperature, before
incubation has started, and placed under foster parents when the
timing is right. When held, the eggs should be turned at least
twice daily. Success can be achieved holding up to 10 days but
success rate diminishes after 3 to 5 days of holding. Eggs held
in the hydrator drawer of a refrigerator can be held somewhat
longer.
Some
people claim higher success holding the eggs after incubation
has proceeded for several days. I have had poorer success doing
this. The developing embryo is very fragile at this time and just
a little shaking can cause it's death. Also it is more sensitive
to chill, in my experience. Eggs that have never been incubated
usually give the best results when held.
The
thing to remember is to stay as close to nature as possible. The
natural "window" can be stretched to fit into our manipulation
of things. Remember that the longer we stretch it, or the more
we manipulate, the less we can expect to succeed.
David
E. Marx D.V.M.
Golden Valley Pet and Pigeon Clinic 2707 NW 60th Ave. Norman, OK 73072
1-405-321-1659 The charge is $12.00 for the first 5 minutes then $3.00 per
Minute Diagnostic service still available Fecal Micro and Culture $20.00