My first try!! Day 18

[slceisner]

I am on end of day 19 going on day 20 of my first try at incubating chicken eggs. I collected the eggs from my existing flock. I started with 11 eggs and am now down to 7! Some were infertile. I am extremely nervous about the next couple days and was wondering if anyone had any advice! They are on lockdown and have been since day 18 and I took the turner out as well. I am mostly worried about the humidity! I don't want it too high of course. But how high is too high? It's been fluctuating between 65-70% 75 tops. A couple of the eggs have been wiggling around so I'm very anxious to see!!

 

[MediGirl1987]

Update! Day 21, no pips on any eggs yet but I can hear chirping and they're wiggling around occasionally. So anxious and nervous. I'd be happy with one successful chick! Andddd I think I'm overthinking it too which makes me even more worried!

Chirping inside the egg is a good sign. They still probably won't externally pip for a little while yet so keep being patient. I know it is hard, I just went through it, but hang in there. Keep us posted!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

One of mine peeped and it's only day 19?? Over heard a few chirping and wiggling around

It has pipped at the wrong end of the egg. They should pip at the fat end of the egg not the pointy end. It has more than likely pipped on day 19 as it needed oxygen. Usually they pip into the fat end of the egg and into the air sac on day 19 ish, this is called the internal pip. Once the oxygen becomes low and the co2 high this kicks them into making their external pip through the shell to gain more oxygen. As yours is pipped at the pointy end it has missed the internal pip out of the hatching process and will need more time to hatch. They can be internally pipped for up to 24 hours so you need to take this into account with this chick.

Have a read of this link as you may need to assist this chick to hatch ~https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching
You will need to give this chick as much time as you can, even though it has pipped it still needs to absorb the yolk amd blood vessels before hatching.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Your others will be fine, this is what would happen in nature. I've not had problems with them bashing them about and it's gets pretty full in my bator ~

 

[slceisner]

How did your hatch go?  How many chicks do you have today?  I'm getting ready to put some in the incubator so I'm getting excited.  

So far 2 chicks, 2 others have pipped, and 3 eggs aren't doing anything yet!

 

[Silo]

Good luck! I want to hear more about hatching eggs before I get some.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

I am on end of day 19 going on day 20 of my first try at incubating chicken eggs. I collected the eggs from my existing flock. I started with 11 eggs and am now down to 7! Some were infertile. I am extremely nervous about the next couple days and was wondering if anyone had any advice! They are on lockdown and have been since day 18 and I took the turner out as well. I am mostly worried about the humidity! I don't want it too high of course. But how high is too high? It's been fluctuating between 65-70% 75 tops. A couple of the eggs have been wiggling around so I'm very anxious to see!!

Glad you could join us here!!

Everything sounds good so try not to worry, I know that's easier said than done!! Incubating and hatching is every emotion all rolled into one!!

My best advice is to sit on those hands and let nature take its course. Good luck with your hatch

Hope you will be able to post some pics

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

^ LOL, I was going to give the same advice, sit on those hands- no meddling

Every thing sounds great OP. Best of luck with your hatch.

PS- we really, REALLY like pictures

 

[slceisner]

I'll be sure to post some pictures!! So far just some wiggling

 

[MediGirl1987]

I hear ya! I am on Day 21 today, and last night I had two chicks hatch. My other eggs are doing nothing, I don't know why these two come so early and the others haven't showed any signs of a pip yet but I am still happy to have hatch my first two chicks. Your humidity sounds good to me, though once an egg starts zipping and eventually the egg hatches you will see it go up further due to your wet little chick. Mine are currently drying off and wandering around the bator knocking into the other eggs, chirping, and sleeping occasionally. So cute. Keep everyone posted on your progress!