Turkeys

We stopped turning the turkey eggs today because they are scheduled to hatch in 3 days. I struggled all day over whether or not to bring them home because of the possibility of an early hatch this weekend. They would be okay until Monday, even if they hatched on Saturday except for the fact that there is no room for them once they hatch and they could get stuck in the turner (yellow thing on the right). Also, it is important to remove the shells right away because they can get easily cut on the sharp edges when they are still learning to stand. So, I finally decided to bring them home and Josh met me at school today to help me figure out how to transport them. Also, an incredible parent of mine gave me her car converter so I could have them plugged in and heated the whole ride home. Here's the most exciting part! We got home and I was trying to remove all of the tissues that we stuffed around them and I heard peeping!! 2 people told me today that they were moving and I said no it is too early. Sure enough they are rocking, wobbling and peeping! This is the first time that I have heard peeping before the shell is pipped (cracked). There have been lots of firsts with this set of eggs. When we candled them at day 14 I saw the embryos moving all around which I have never been able to catch before. If you do it too early you only see veins, but if you miss the chance it turns completely solid and you can only see the air sac. This year I was brave and threw away the unfertilized eggs. This really helped keep them smelling much better.
Here is one last look at the turkey eggs before they hatch!!
9 days until the ducks are scheduled!