2 are starting!/ Was I wrong on my math?

[chickenwhisperer]

Came home this evening to 2 cracked shells!
I can even see a flap of shell on 1 move every so often.

Still havent heard any peeping coming from them, but its looking very promising.
I wasnt expecting them till after about midnight tonight or tomoro morning.

Looks like Ill have some easter chicks!

Was I wrong in my math, or the way I calculated my 21 days?
I put this first batch in at exactly 1am on Monday the 15th, so that whole Monday was the complete 1st day . . .
I calculated hatch date as anytime after midnight Sunday night, so I believe its still 2 days early.
But I also had absolutely no fluctuation in temps thruout the entire 21 days, very very stable at 100.

I love this part . . .

 

[babsbag]

My temps were relatively stable as well, if anything I let them run on the lower side. I locked down on the 18th day and the hatch started on the 19th day. Someone said it was because they were bantie eggs, others said there banties always waited unitl day 21. So I agree with you...

 

[chickenwhisperer]

I just heard the 1st peep, then that flap of shell moved again!

I really want to see the eggs start jumping around, rockin and rollin, thats fun!



I think that no matter how we calculate or worry, as long as the basic criteria are met, mother nature takes care of the rest.

Hens dont have thermostats and timers and digital gauges, they just provide basic optimum care and if the eggs are strong enough in the 1st place, theyll hatch.

When I tried to hatch from these same chickens about 2 years ago, when they were maybe 1yr olds, I got so-so results.
This time around, as soon as I could make out the embryos, I knew these eggs would hatch because they just looked so strong, and every time I candled they were just going like gangbusters in there.

These are "mutts" from a backyard mixed flock, I cant wait to see what I get!

Shoot, I might even go buy myself a chocolate bunny tomoro to celebrate!

 

[panner123]

Mother Nature took over. Some times eggs hatch a little early, sometimes a little late. Thank the Big Man upstairs that your eggs hatched. Many here you love to be in your shoes.

 

[chickenwhisperer]

I know, I am very thankful.

I am thanful to this site for giving me info and ideas on how to make the incubator, as well as putting up with the questions I had.
I am also thankful to my buddies mom for giving me so many eggs to try, she likes to cook them and her older hens aint been laying much lately.
I am MOST thankful to mother nature herself, for allowing me the opportunity to watch this, it really makes me think about life when I bring new ones into the world.

Im not really one to get all gaga over easter, but tomoro will be a special one in my book.
I was honestly disappointed, cause I thought I was a day too late.

BTW- 5 have goodbroken pips now and I hear a ton of chirps!

 

[silkiechicken]

Anywhere from 19-23 can be "normal", just 21 is the goal or average where most hatch. It largely incubator temp at the location of each egg, however genetics does play a small role in hatch times. There have been studies where commercial leghorns were selectively bred for early or late hatch times, and they were able to generate lines of leghorns that hatched on average on day 19, and on average 23.

 

[tammyd57]

Yay! Easter chickies! Congratulations! I hope you have a fantastic hatch.
Mine are only on day 7 so 2 more weeks to go!