I think mine are cooked.
I had to work from 10am to 11pm yesterday. While I was gone the house temps went up and the incubator was at 104.5 when I got home. I got it back down to 101 after a bit, but one that had pipped and partially zipped was dead in the shell.
This morning the power went out for over half an hour. ??!!!! My power never, ever goes out. It is incredibly stable.
The temps were down to 90 before it got back on (right after I had unplugged it all and was preparing to haul it all to the car. Of course.) Humidity spiked up to 98% while the power was off. Two more had pipped, but then died in the shell. I helped a third out because I couldn't stand it. (I know, I know... bad hatcher!). That one is flopping about drying off at the moment. There are no pips or cheeps out of the rest. I think they are goners.
I'm so bummed. This was my first incubated hatch. I had ordered a 1588, but couldn't get it in time. I bought a 1602 off the shelf instead. It held temperatures great until this last week. This week it has been all over the place! I'm wondering now if I should just suck it up and buy the 1588. Having eggs not developing is disappointing. Having babies die in the shell fully formed is totally heartbreaking! It's just so sad.
Out of 16 original eggs, I threw away 3 that hadn't developed. When I candled on day 17, 3 more were very questionable. The others showed life and the two mille fleurs had movement. It was very cool! Today I have three babies hatched- two ameraucanas and one welsummer mix. The others are just sitting there. Today is day 21. The ones that hatched did so yesterday. No pips. Zero signs of life in there.
Okay, I'm off to stare at the babies that did hatch. I'm trying to decide now what to do with them. When I thought to have half a dozen or more hatch I was going to brood them in the house. Now I'm wondering if I should just sneak them under my mama hen that hatched out her three on Wednesday.
