I have a couple problems I wanted to see if someone can explain or clear up for me. First I guess I should say I built a incubator and hatcher out of an old styrofoam cooler and compact refrigerator. I have 3 thermometers in the bator and all 3 read differently. Two are digital one is the stick type. I got readings from 97.5 to 100.8. The humidity ranged from 35% to 45%.
I hatched the first batch from some chicken eggs I got from a friend and 5 of 6 hatched. Also had 20 button quil eggs shipped in and 10 hatched. Now on the second attempt I bought 12 chicken eggs and put them in the bator. I set them March 17th and everything has been uneventful until tuesday. I was planning on moving the eggs to the hatcher but when I got home I noticed 3 of the eggs had pipped. First problem!!! Why did they pip so early? I moved them to the hatcher and within an hour I had a chick flopping around. Now second problem. One of the pipped eggs hadn't hatched by this morning so I decided to help. Well the poor guy is stuck in the shell. ( shrink wrapped) I got most of the shell off but I didn't want to hurt the little guy so... Will the shell and membrane come off or do I need to help more? As of now he is alive and looks to be getting his feet under himself. I had another one that popped right out and is doing fine. All total I have 7 of 10 that hatched. The other 2 weren't fertile or whatever. They were clear after 10 days when I candled. Anyway 5 of seven hatched 2 days early and the one was stuck to its shell. Don't know if the other 3 will hatch or not.
Any thought or suggestions on what went astray?
Thanks,
Greg
I hatched the first batch from some chicken eggs I got from a friend and 5 of 6 hatched. Also had 20 button quil eggs shipped in and 10 hatched. Now on the second attempt I bought 12 chicken eggs and put them in the bator. I set them March 17th and everything has been uneventful until tuesday. I was planning on moving the eggs to the hatcher but when I got home I noticed 3 of the eggs had pipped. First problem!!! Why did they pip so early? I moved them to the hatcher and within an hour I had a chick flopping around. Now second problem. One of the pipped eggs hadn't hatched by this morning so I decided to help. Well the poor guy is stuck in the shell. ( shrink wrapped) I got most of the shell off but I didn't want to hurt the little guy so... Will the shell and membrane come off or do I need to help more? As of now he is alive and looks to be getting his feet under himself. I had another one that popped right out and is doing fine. All total I have 7 of 10 that hatched. The other 2 weren't fertile or whatever. They were clear after 10 days when I candled. Anyway 5 of seven hatched 2 days early and the one was stuck to its shell. Don't know if the other 3 will hatch or not.
Any thought or suggestions on what went astray?
Thanks,
Greg