Accidental hatch going into lockdown tomorrow

[Ranger Daryl]

Last month I noticed a decline in egg production over the course of several days. I didn't think anything of it since I figured it was getting close to time for a molt. While clearing brush one day, I discovered a pile of eggs in a scratched out hole. Not knowing how long the eggs were there, I decided to incubate them rather than throw them out. Its a basic barnyard mix; a welsummer, lavender orpington, production red, rhodebar and silkies under a RIR rooster., 10 eggs total.

The eggs were candled at 7 and 14 days all appeared fertile and are developing well. I candled them tonight and I can see shadows of movement in all of the eggs. I am running a digital little giant still air incubator with an automatic egg turner. This is the first time I have had more than 4 or 5 out of a dozen make it to lockdown. I had actually ordered a fan kit for it, with plans to install it in time for the new years hatch-a-long.

I will post updates as hatch day arrives. I guess there is always a possibility that they might come a little early since I have no idea how long they were laid. I candled them when setting them in the incubator and noticed no development at that time.

 

[sumi]

Isn't it amazing when these "accidents" turn out so well?

Please keep us posted!

 

[Ranger Daryl]

All 10 eggs appear to have internally pipped and they're all rocking back and forth in the incubator, they were set around 3pm 20 days ago. So I am hoping that I get home from work to an incubator full of chicks tomorrow. This has the potential to be the best hatch I've ever had. I've never had all the eggs I set make it this far, I usually lose a few.

 

[Ranger Daryl]

This morning, five out of 10 eggs have externally pipped. My humidity is hovering around 64%, is this ok for hatching or should I try to get it up?

 

[sumi]

That humidity is perfect. Come on chicks!

 

[Ranger Daryl]

Every egg now appears to have an external pip and my humid you has climbed to 68 and the windows are fogged over with condensation. Still good or should I pull one of the red plugs on top?

 

[sumi]

If you can, without losing too much humidity, pull one of the plugs. They will bump up the humidity in there now with the moisture released from the eggs. I've seen it go up to 80% in my incubators!

 

[Ranger Daryl]

I'm in Florida the inside humidity in my house is 60 lol. So I don't think I will have much trouble.

 

[chickmomma03]

have you pulled the turner out or shut it off?

 

[Ranger Daryl]

Oh yeah I did that on day 18. I have patiently left them alone since then. This is my first hatch with an auto turner, I'm wondering if that has made the difference in the number of eggs making it to lockdown.