- Sep 1, 2014
- 56
- 1
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Hi friends,
Thought I would give incubation a try as my hens have shown no interest in brooding yet this year. I have a forced air auto turning incubator with digital temp and humidity.
I candled the eggs at day 8 and 13. I got rid of all the clears and those that were questionable I kept in, just in case.
Anyway, at day 17, I took them out of the auto turner and let them rest to orientate themselves for hatching.
I kept humidity at around 50% and increased this to 60-65% for the final days. I can't seem to keep it steady at 65%. The temp has been a fairly steady 37.5 c. There were some times that it beeped, dropping below 37 but within a minute or two it would get back on track.
I patiently waited, day 21 came and went, no birds. On day 23 I decided to water test them in warm water and found 4 that sunk. The others were low floaters and some were visibly wiggling around, yay!
Today is day 24 and still no birds. Out of desperation, I started to play chicken clucking sounds I found on the web. Put that on a loop for a couple hours in hopes this will coax them out.
What else can I do? I am afraid if I wait longer they may die. I saw another post where someone started a pip and let the bird finish it off. I don't want to let these die but I also don't want to cause them harm either.
What are your suggestions? And why so late do you think? Thanks!
Thought I would give incubation a try as my hens have shown no interest in brooding yet this year. I have a forced air auto turning incubator with digital temp and humidity.
I candled the eggs at day 8 and 13. I got rid of all the clears and those that were questionable I kept in, just in case.
Anyway, at day 17, I took them out of the auto turner and let them rest to orientate themselves for hatching.
I kept humidity at around 50% and increased this to 60-65% for the final days. I can't seem to keep it steady at 65%. The temp has been a fairly steady 37.5 c. There were some times that it beeped, dropping below 37 but within a minute or two it would get back on track.
I patiently waited, day 21 came and went, no birds. On day 23 I decided to water test them in warm water and found 4 that sunk. The others were low floaters and some were visibly wiggling around, yay!
Today is day 24 and still no birds. Out of desperation, I started to play chicken clucking sounds I found on the web. Put that on a loop for a couple hours in hopes this will coax them out.
What else can I do? I am afraid if I wait longer they may die. I saw another post where someone started a pip and let the bird finish it off. I don't want to let these die but I also don't want to cause them harm either.
What are your suggestions? And why so late do you think? Thanks!
