Help!

Andyangel

Hatching
Feb 19, 2017
5
0
7
Hello guys, this is my first time hatching, and well I made a incubator with a cooler, I'm currently at day 20, and today I finally managed to get my humidity to 64, all time it was around 50-55.
i made a research and I found I needed vents on the incubator which on the tutorial I followed they never put it, I'm very worried this might have killed the chicks but the last time I checked (around day 17) I could see the little ball which I suppose is the embryo and some veins, but since I haven't opened the incubator since day 19 I'm worried that might have killed the embryos, I just punctured some holes and it keeps my humidity on 64, I can't manage to make it higher since I already took all possible space.
The main thing here is, did having no vents killed the embryo?

Extra notes: I have a dimmer so the temperature has not been a problem, neither the humidity until day 19.
 
Hello guys, this is my first time hatching, and well I made a incubator with a cooler, I'm currently at day 20, and today I finally managed to get my humidity to 64, all time it was around 50-55.
i made a research and I found I needed vents on the incubator which on the tutorial I followed they never put it, I'm very worried this might have killed the chicks but the last time I checked (around day 17) I could see the little ball which I suppose is the embryo and some veins, but since I haven't opened the incubator since day 19 I'm worried that might have killed the embryos, I just punctured some holes and it keeps my humidity on 64, I can't manage to make it higher since I already took all possible space.
The main thing here is, did having no vents killed the embryo?

Extra notes: I have a dimmer so the temperature has not been a problem, neither the humidity until day 19.

Hi there! When you candled at day 17, was most of the egg filled with your chicks? At this point they are pretty big and should fill most of the egg with the air cell on the top. Since you are on day 20, you should see some pips in the next day or two. You have air holes now which is important when the chicks are hatching to get oxygen. Not sure what the effect is not having them through the incubation process, so maybe someone else can answer that..but I do know my incubator has multiple vents with larger ones I open once the chicks start hatching. Good luck with your hatch!
 
Most coolers are not air tight, just well insulated. If you can see some light coming from the cracks of the door (with the door shut) then that suggest that some air is getting in by way of drafts and you will most likely be okay as far as that goes. Air vents are needed, but its too late to do anything about the outcome of the eggs/chicks at this point (20 days), so what will be will be.

As to ease your mind, I suggest inspect the the eggs, and check for pip's at this time as they should be getting close to hatch. If you don't see any pips, candle a few eggs. Depending on the species they should be getting close so you should be able to see movement, larger air sacks, or pips.

In the future, if you are worried about them getting enough O2, you can always open the door for about 30 seconds 3-4 times a day without much worry of harm to the eggs. But air vents are the better option so after the hatch, modify those holes to your needs (or the eggs needs).
 
Sadly they weren't so big, I used my phone light so it was a bit harsh to see correctly but I did saw it covered like 1/4 of the egg, it was on the middle, also when I put the little holes for the oxygen the humidity dropped to 60, and there is no more spot for water, any ideas?
 
The most problem is the humidity, when I put the little vents the humidity dropped to 60, which on this days I think is not very good, I will go right away to check it, but as far for the humidity it also has me worried since there is no longer a spot for water anywhere.
 
1/4 sounds fair enough, did you see any movements. The new LED flashlights work a lot better for candling.

The humidity sounds good if the gauge is accurate so don't worry about that. Wet sponges some where (anywhere) except on the eggs can be used to bring up humidity but not really necessary at 60%. when they hatch the humidity will naturally increase 15-25%.
 
I'm very glad I don't have to worry about humidity anymore, it was a pain through the process, though I can't see any pips I will candle it tonight I guess I can't do much right now and since I opened the cage earlier to put more water (temperature dropped to 31.8 for a little while) I don't want to risk and open it again so soon, I guess I can just wait, and one other question, will 2 holes made with a pencil be enough? I'm afraid humidity will drop much more if I do more
 
The main thing to worry about right now is movement. You say there is 1/4 air sack so they have not broke into that compartment if they are in good shape (alive....sorry), but with a good light you should be able to see some movement.

If you cant tell, try a float test on the egg with the air sack. Be sure they have not pipped!!!!!!
It should take you about 30 seconds to test.
  • use some warm some water and test it so its no hotter than 99.5 degrees
  • place the egg in the water for about 10 seconds and see if you see some ripples or movement. The egg should bobble or jiggle a little.
  • either way, pull the egg out and dry it off and put it back in the incubator

You wont always see movement but it sometimes works.

the float test is the idea from another post. (either twocrows, TK, hawk) i cant remember.
 
Is this a styrofoam cooler? Like I stated earlier, if your in the dark and can see light coming from the door or lid (from the cracks) then they are getting some fresher air, no doubt! lol Most Coolers are not designed to be AIR TIGHT
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A few more holes is a can do and if the humidity drops to bad you can use duct tape or just about anything to cover them back up, but remember band-aids always falls off when wet. SO...... Just dont stab your incubator it to death.
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Realize that most people who are new to incubation ALWAYS worry and stress as hatch time gets close. Sometimes the results are good and others are not. The point is not to give up as there is just a little more to incubation and I know you have found that out.
 
Sorry for the delay, had Internet issues. Anyways, sadly I don't see much lit coming out the cooler, I'm on day 21 and not even a movement, I wanted to try the warm water but I don't want to risk if there is a chance for one of the eggs to hatch (since when I open incubator humidity gets to be a pain to increase again), I read they can late some days more, no?
 

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