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Incubator overheated, eggs have no air cell??

post #1 of 12
4/5/12 at 7:00am
Thread Starter 

I wanna cry.  The incubator overheated Sunday and the eggs are due to hatch this Sat!  Foul play unfortunately we believe :(.  But I candled the eggs and there appears to be no air cells.  Most of the eggs are completely dark!!  Did they all die?? How can I tell if I have viable little chicks inside??  I cannot see movement or anything.  The temp was over 100 prob a couple hrs before I caught it.

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post #2 of 12
4/5/12 at 7:16am

Having no air cell at this late stage may (probably) means they have internally piped already. Did you candle earlier in incubating and see air cells? If so then count on them a little early is all. A few hours over 100 F is nothing to worry about. The internal temperature of the egg has to reach over 103F and stay there for a few hours to start killing off embryos. I think your fine.

There's so little to fear from hatching even chickens dare. In fact, it's so easy a turkey can do it.

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There's so little to fear from hatching even chickens dare. In fact, it's so easy a turkey can do it.

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post #3 of 12
4/5/12 at 8:21am
Thread Starter 

Oh how I hope you are correct!!  This past week has been stressful.  When should I give up if they do not start to come through the shells??

 

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post #4 of 12
4/5/12 at 8:33am

I think you are OK too.  I am doing my very first hatch and found this thread with candeling pictures for each day.  Your eggs are supposed to be all black at this stage.  Check out the thread below.  I think it will make you feel better.  Good luck and let us know how your hatch went.

 

 

 

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/261876/chicks-are-here-egg-candling-pics-progression-though-incubation

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post #5 of 12
4/5/12 at 10:17am

You'll probably be ok.  I messed with the temp. right before I left for work Tuesday like an idiot.  Came back 11 hours later and discovered the temperature in my incubator was 104!  I felt the panic creeping in as I turned the eggs (I hand turn mine) and then I candled.  Almost all of the eggs had movement in them, I was so relieved that my stupidity hadn't killed them all.  How far over 100 was the incubator?  Anything under 103 is nothing to sweat.  I aim for 100 but typically run between 99 and 102, depending on the temperature fluctuation in the house that day.  I have read in several places that for still air incubators (which is what I have) you actually want to run the temperature a little high, around 102, for best results.

 

At this stage in incubation, your eggs should be almost completely dark, although I would expect them to have an air cell.  If they're not due until Saturday the safest thing for you to do will probably be to just assume that they are all still viable and wait to see what happens.  If you don't see any pips by day 23, you could try the float test.  I'm pretty sure there's a sticky at the top of the forum with a link on how to do the float test. 

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post #6 of 12
4/5/12 at 11:17am
Thread Starter 

I panicked and pulled the top off and pulled the thermometer so quickly, but I am sure it was closer to 106    

I candled them today and I see no movement in them. Hopefully Egghead is correct and pipping has started.  I saw the air pocket in 2, so I'm just confused.  I didn't disturb them all, just a few, as to not cause a problem that may not have been there.  I just wish I knew for sure!!


Edited by cormiercreation - 4/5/12 at 11:30am
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post #7 of 12
4/7/12 at 1:47pm
Thread Starter 

OK, a couple of them are wiggling and are "peeping".  I can hear scratching as well.  Is their peeping like they do once hatched normal or are they in trouble??  There is so much info out there about, help em out, don't touch em, mist em, don't open em, candle em.!!!  Trying to be patient. Just don't want to loose them at this point!! Since they survived the heat!!

 

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post #8 of 12
4/7/12 at 6:34pm
Thread Starter 

8:32PM, Peeping sounds started (or at least I first heard, cause I wasn't home) at 1:30pm.  Several moved around and now finally one (that was not a moving one) has a beak hole in it.  So we have officially had our first pipping :)  I just may still end up with "Easter Chicks" at this rate :)  Yay!!!

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post #9 of 12
4/7/12 at 6:57pm

Yay! That's great news. I know my first 10 hatched and it was nerve wrecking, lol. 

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post #10 of 12
4/8/12 at 6:12pm
Thread Starter 

Well, here it is Sunday evening.  Easter.  And there are 7 chicks hatched and others pipping :) So anyone that has temp issues with your incubator just needs to sit on your hands (horribly hard!) and wait.  It paid off.  I almost had tossed them all figuring they were dead!!  Praise God I have beautiful peeps :)

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