Air cells too large and at wrong end

[Honora]

Hi all,

First timer here. I am at at Day 7 and I just candled my eggs. They all seem to have chicks in them but the air cells are all at the wrong end and are huge. They look to me to be the size they should be on day 18.

So this means the humidity is too low, right? I am in California & it's very dry here. My husband added more water cause it all evaporated. Any advice on how to keep the air cells from growing? I have one of those styrofoam Little Giant incubators.

 

[junebuggena]

Are you candling from the fat end down? That's the best place to see the air cell.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Are you candling from the fat end down? That's the best place to see the air cell.

xs 2

It sounds as though you are candling up from the bottom (pointy end) into the egg. This will illuminate the albumen in the egg confusing new candlers to what they are seeing. Many mistake this "clearness" for air cell. Candle down into the egg from the air cell end. (I find candling at a slight angle down into the air cell gives me the best pic.) This will illuinate the true air cell at the top (rounded end) and put the development into a better perspective as well.

What range are you using for humidity?

 

[Honora]

xs 2

It sounds as though you are candling up from the bottom (pointy end) into the egg. This will illuminate the albumen in the egg confusing new candlers to what they are seeing. Many mistake this "clearness" for air cell. Candle down into the egg from the air cell end. (I find candling at a slight angle down into the air cell gives me the best pic.) This will illuinate the true air cell at the top (rounded end) and put the development into a better perspective as well.

What range are you using for humidity?

Ok, I will try again. I was actually candling from the side using my husband's phone, lol. I don't know what we are using for humidity but I will ask him....We have some eggs under the broodies & some in the incubator, and I am in charge of the broodies & he is in charge of the incubator.

 

[lazy gardener]

Ok, I will try again. I was actually candling from the side using my husband's phone, lol. I don't know what we are using for humidity but I will ask him....We have some eggs under the broodies & some in the incubator, and I am in charge of the broodies & he is in charge of the incubator.

Please read: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Ok, I will try again. I was actually candling from the side using my husband's phone, lol. I don't know what we are using for humidity but I will ask him....We have some eggs under the broodies & some in the incubator, and I am in charge of the broodies & he is in charge of the incubator.

I ask about the humidity because with the styro bators many of us have better hatches with a low humidity incubation rather than standard. If you monitor your air cells that will guide you as to how to adjust the humidity. It's better explained here: http://letsraisechickens.weebly.com...anuals-understanding-and-controlling-humidity

 

[Honora]

Ok, thanks very much for the advice. You were right, I could see the air cell more clearly when candling from the top down & they all look fine! Phew! We are at Day 10 & I could see one of them moving around. Very exciting!