37 eggs in lockdown, but half seem underdeveloped.

[CoopsNPoops]

This is my very first time hatching in the incubator, so it's been sort of trial & error. I set 41. 2 were infertile and 2 were quitters by the 14 day candle. The 37 left are all still alive and cookin. The 7 and 14 day candles looked perfect, however before lockdown, i noticed the air sacs barely grew on about half of them and some embryos seem to be way behind. Not much growth from the 14 day candle. I have been doing a dry hatch since the bator stayed roughly 40-48% humidity dry. I don't have a backup hydrometer this go around, so im not sure if the humidity levels were true. Im guessing not since the air sacs are small on most. The temperature however was accurate as i had an additional thermometer on top of the eggs. It stayed pretty consistent at 100.5-101 degrees. I noticed the eggs around the outter most parts of the incubator were the ones behind, so I'm assuming there were cool spots around the edges as well. I have the LG from Tractor Supply with an automatic egg turner. I went ahead and put them in lockdown at midnight last night because i was unsure what to do since half were behind and half looks like they're ready. I did atleast put the one behind in the middle under the heating element to catch them up best i could. Tonight is day 19 so wish me luck in the days to come! I'm completely unsure where i stand with this hatch, but hey, it's good learning! Who else experienced small air sacs and developmentally delayed embryos when going into lockdown? How did it turn out? I guess i should add that my hens are a year and a half old and this is only their 2nd season laying. The eggs behind are the Ameraucanas and EEs. The Morans and BR are better.

 

[CoopsNPoops]

Some times they pip and don't come out until the next day.........

2 hours later and i heard a loud peep! I went to check and found the zip. I clicked over to video to record some of the movements and one big kick and he/she was out! It happened so fast and was pure luck i ws able to record the entire hatch in a very short video!

 

[CoopsNPoops]

Update: 2 has hatched with 8 more externally pipped. This is day 21. First little guy hatched on day 20, and second one hatched this morning on its "due date."

 

[CoopsNPoops]

I keep my humidity constant at 60 and temperature at 99F. I use a small syringe that increases the humidity by 2 per shot. I wouldn't worry about your eggs, the only thing you can do is increase the humidity on lock down.

I did increase the humidity today (day 19) instead of yesterday, just to give the delayed ones a little more time for the air cells to shrink. So i put them in lockdown on day 18 and just added water through the vent hole today (day 19) with a syringe, without having to open the lid. The humidity is now 64%. Unless i have hatching fever, im pretty sure i seen an egg subtly wiggling AND heard the faintest peeping. Im pretty sure there is an internal pip. However, it is on one of the moran eggs with the smallest air cell lines, so we shall see.

 

[CoopsNPoops]

Yay! Are you keeping all of them, how many chickens do you have?!

4 hatched now. An EExBR, an EExBCM, and two EExEE. I hatched to sell them them, but they may grow on me, so who knows, lol. I have 15 adult chickens. 14 hens and a rooster.

 

[CNJ]

Congratulations, that's a lot of chickens to feed.....

 

[CoopsNPoops]

Congratulations, that's a lot of chickens to feed.....

Ah.. they're income. Six were already sold before hatching. They wont stay long..

 

[Chicalina]

Can you post the video you took. I'd love to see that.

 

[Chicalina]

awwww that's fab!

And I can hear the reaction of your child - how wonderful to be so awed by nature! I bet it was a really amazing experience for them to watch the egg hatch.

My 6 year old son is just as excited when we hatch eggs. I love watching him be all amazed as much as I do the eggs!

 

[CoopsNPoops]

I thought i may have heard a faint peeping last night. Today i for sure hurt some peeping! I ran over to the incubator with a flashlight ans sure enough, 2 external pips with a few more internal pips! A barred rock with one of the small air cells, and a black copper moran. Both these eggs were the ones directly under the heating element during incubation. Upon candling on lockdown day, i noticed the ones in the middle were "ready" looking, as far as embryo development, so i placed them on the outter of the incubator for lockdown. That way the under developed ones could have the most heat.