Air cells? What do I need to know?

[IdyllwildAcres]

I have Trader Joe's eggs in an incubator, today is day 4 I have not candaled them yet. I have NO idea what to look for when I candal them tomorrow, they are white eggs so I am hoping to see veins. What should I be looking for as far as air sac? I have seen some people trace them with pencil. why? When I go into lockdown do I need to position them a certain way?

I was hoping this would be easy, set it and forget it but I am thinking I was being optimistic....

Gary

 

[Amc29]

They are marked with pencil to make sure they are losing the correct amount of moisture, which indicates if humidity has been at a proper level. It should track like the photo attached. Humidity matters in hatch ability. I don't worry about positioning in a certain way for lockdown, just stop turning. I usually don't candle until day 7, but I know some do earlier.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hey Gary,


Where are ya running your humidity?

My dark eggs often are set it a forget it... for the most part. I maintain my temp and humidity but can't see much.

White eggs should be really easy to see veins if they develop.

At lockdown... position on their side so the pointy end is slightly downward and the lowest point in your air cell is facing up. This is the only time I personally mark my cells. Weighing is a more exacting option, aiming for about 14% loss from original weight of egg.

What bator are ya using? I remember your blue Ameraucana being broody before. Do you have out any plugs?

One of my favorite incubation resource links...
Incubation guide

I would probably go 45-50% humidity for white eggs through day 18. Temperature is sooo much more important... are ya using a calibrated thermometer or built in stuff?

Happy hatching!

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

which indicates if humidity has been at a proper level.

I just got a digital hygrometer/thermometer, this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JHKLLCQ/?tag=backy-20 yesterday and i popped it in under the cover and the humidty showed 65% and the thermometer was just .5 C off from the incubators (magic Fly) so I drilled a hole to push it through the plastic and manhandled it too much and the temp was now 6 degrees off so I ordered a new one. This morning it shows 25% humidity. When the new one comes tuesday I will salt test it and be more gentle.

I think I want closer to 40% right now (day4) ?

Thanks

Gary

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

This is the only time I personally mark my cells. Weighing is a more exacting option, aiming for about 14% loss from original weight of egg.

So since I did not weigh, or mark the eggs which were 6 day old previously refrigerated Trader Joe's fertile eggs, (I checked for fertility and saw the bullseye} how will I measure weight loss or air sac with no reference point? They are on day 4 of incubation now.

What bator are ya using? I remember your blue Ameraucana being broody before. Do you have out any plugs?

Yes Fluffy raised last years shipped chicks! there is one hole on top of my Magic Fly and it is open. No plug and it is open.

Thanks

Gary

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I would probably go 45-50% humidity for white eggs

Got it, thanks

So ok to cover the hole on top to raise humidity, no air exchange needed right now?

Thanks

Gary

 

[EggSighted4Life]

So ok to cover the hole on top to raise humidity, no air exchange needed right now?

No, oxygen is always key.

Where is your humidity currently? I would add water if I needed to raise it. I will look up that bator so I can see what you are working with.

So since I did not weigh, or mark the eggs which were 6 day old previously refrigerated Trader Joe's fertile eggs,

I already figured that.. and was wondering also... I WONDER if we can go with the stated weight on the package?? I doubt that is super reliable.

I am very much a set it and forget it type... I only candle to see if there is life or if it quit.

I incubated all my dark eggs (and Silkies to) between 30-45% humidity with great results. Going that low for white eggs I think is too much because less color means more evaporation, generally.

The air sac can still be measured like the pic from the first poster. Starting point being irrelevant and aiming for the approximate same levels at the later days shown. I just don't trust my judgement... and never adjust my humidity anyways once I've got it dialed in I just try to stay within the specific range. This since each egg has a different porousness and such.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I will look up that bator so I can see what you are working with.

Its 38% right now, just added more water. Also I see in the reviews where others added above the 100ml suggested. I do not see what the difference could be because from what i have read on BYC its more about surface area than depth.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KD75VHW/?tag=backy-20

Thanks

Gary

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Its 38% right now, just added more water.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KD75VHW/?tag=backy-20

Thanks

Gary

Oh my friend has that same bator! They usually get around 50% hatches... but there are so many factors and her husband is the type that is hard to teach new things to as he is set in his ways. Actually, I gave some of his eggs that were around 2 weeks in to a broody and she got 100% hatch on 7 eggs. I think I prefer that side turner to my upright style.

So seems like the only way to add water is if you fill that whole bottom well?? Or does it have little dividers if you need a smaller amount?

One poster recently said he dry hatches completely... no water added ever, I saw humidity is around 20%. And claimed our high humidity levels is what causes problems for so many. While I initially discounted his claim, I ALWAYS consider what someone has said and try to process it through my brain. Some of it made sense. He wasn't able to give me any solid numbers on hatch rate or fertility, so I cannot currently recommend that... but it has piqued my curiosity and I can't wait to experiment!

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

They usually get around 50% hatches

Over 500 reviews on Amazon and 78% 4 and 5 stars, over 200 questions asked I read through all of them and the hatch rates, well they vary! As with every other bator I guess. Many have 75-100% hatch rates. I was more interested in how well it keeps temps and if it would be easy for a first timer. I think it's working out, I will play with adding more volume of water , at lockdown I will add a sponge or two and hope for the best. I am hoping out of the 7 eggs at least 5 hatch and 2-3 are females.

So seems like the only way to add water is if you fill that whole bottom well?? Or does it have little dividers if you need a smaller amount?So seems like the only way to add water is if you fill that whole bottom well?? Or does it have little dividers if you need a smaller amount?

No dividers, it says fill to 1oo ML

On another note... These are most likely going to be leghorns or leghorn X's and I am finding on YouTube that Leghorns are feather sexable on day one. I am hoping this plays out, any experience with that?

Thanks

Gary