Anybody setting today (3-25) or tomorrow (3-26)??

[mychookschick]

Never again with an incubator!!! (though I realize once the trauma has worn off I may change my mind)

Two of my three were shrink-wrapped. One was slightly bloody at the pip, which really concerned me. After boosting humidity, watching all day long, and having the third egg and pip, zip, and emerge, I knew my suspicions were correct that the two others were stuck. They had their beaks out, but couldn't make progress.

Using this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/9316/intervention-helping-your-chicks-hatch (THANK YOU!!!!!) I got the two stuck ones out. The one that had the blood sort of looks like it may have something wrong with its vent. I'm not messing with them at this point, so time will tell, but I don't have my hopes up. The other two (fingers crossed) seem fine.

Anyway my nerves are SHOT.

Aww! Good luck Aumlet! I hope that they do well! This is only my second time hatching in a 'bator and I am a nervous wreck too! The first time I had either 20 or 21 eggs in there, and I hand turned them, rolling each one individually. I had no hydrometer, and just kept the water trays full. I only had 7 chicks hatch from that run. That is 33% or 1/3 hatch rate... Not good! So this time, I added a hydrometer, and am using the "dry hatch method" (30-40% on days 1-18, and 50+% on days 18-21). And I have 35 eggs in cartons, which are sitting on a cut-up wooden broom handle. And three times a day, I rock them back and forth over the broom handle. I hope that this is working! I haven't candled since day 8 so I have no clue! Ahhh!

 

[DraigAthar]

If Wednesday was day 21, then today is day 24. None of mine have hatched later than day 23. If nothing happens by tomorrow, I might start her with fresh eggs!

Ya! I know! I have been out to check on that broody about 50 times!

I wanted to make sure that she was still on her nest! LOL

And a question for you guys: The broody that I found under the shed (NOT the one in the coop, but the one that I posted pics of) hatched a chick on Wednesday, and I found it dead this morning. No signs of life in the other eggs (I haven't candled, but no cheeping or pipping, rocking, etc)... How long should I leave them there before moving her to the coop and giving her more eggs? I am hoping that if she doesn't hatch anything this round, she will sit for another batch... Thanks guys! You're the best!

 

[DraigAthar]

Oh, and I just checked, one of Sophie's eggs has pipped already! It's peeping madly in there at her!

 

[mychookschick]

If Wednesday was day 21, then today is day 24. None of mine have hatched later than day 23. If nothing happens by tomorrow, I might start her with fresh eggs!

Thanks... That is what I figured. I will candle either tonight or tomorrow night, and see if there is anything going on in there, just to make sure!

Also, the broody in the coops egg's (now Winnie's because Daisy gave up) are due tomorrow. Although, I am not very confident that anything is going to happen. Daisy let them get cold multiple days by switching boxes, before Winnie took over. This is the good girl who went broody right when I needed her!!

She is about 7 months old in this pic, now about 1 year 8 months, and on her second hatch. On her first hatch she got 5 chicks, raised all successfully, 3 Roos, 2 Hens.


Forgot to mention that if Daisy clutch (now Winnie's) doesn't hatch, I will start her on new eggs as well....

 

[mychookschick]

Oh, and I just checked, one of Sophie's eggs has pipped already! It's peeping madly in there at her!

Good luck!

 

[meowmmy65]

 

[Aumlet]

The 2 silkie crosses are doing well. The one with the blood and the bloody vent area is not doing well, but doesn't seem in pain or distressed so I'm giving it a chance. I am 98% sure I'm going to have to cull it, which is heart wrenching but I won't let a sick animal suffer a slow drawn out death.

 

[what did I do]

Their peeping! Their peeping! One has a crack in it! I've almost got a chick! I know ,don't count your chickens before they hatch.

 

[Aumlet]

Their peeping! Their peeping! One has a crack in it! I've almost got a chick! I know ,don't count your chickens before they hatch.

YAY!!!

 

[what did I do]

Their peeping! Their peeping! One has a crack in it! I've almost got a chick! I know ,don't count your chickens before they hatch.

We have a chick and a bunch more peeping. This is so much fun. Off to set up a brooded.

How long can they stay in the incubator? I have to be gone a big part of the day.