Chicken egg rocking on day 18

[beetandsteet]

I have a barred rock cross egg that is "rocking" (no pun intended) on day 18. I just put them into lockdown and I look in the incubator and it's moving! Is that normal? Do you think that the incubation temps have been too high? Is it going to hatch early? It's been around 100 degrees. Sorry if these are dumb questions, I've just never had this before and I'm worried. Thanks

 

[junebuggena]

They can start rocking up to 48 hours before they first pip. After piping, it can take another 24 hours to finish hatching. I'd say you're right on schedule.
All of my chicks this year hatched at day 19.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I have a barred rock cross egg that is "rocking" (no pun intended) on day 18. I just put them into lockdown and I look in the incubator and it's moving! Is that normal? Do you think that the incubation temps have been too high? Is it going to hatch early? It's been around 100 degrees. Sorry if these are dumb questions, I've just never had this before and I'm worried. Thanks

It's quite normal to see rocking on day 17/18 as the babies are positioning themselves, head under wing/beak up for hatch. 100F is fine. My bator usually averages a little high and I end up with my first pippers on day 19 and most everyone has hatched by the end of day 20 and all perfectly healthy, so don't freak out even if you do see some early action. Chances are though they'll rest a good day before you see or her anything. Good luck on your hatch!

 

[beetandsteet]

Update: It is the evening of day 19 and a Partridge Rock cross chick hatched 30 minutes ago. Even though the chick is small, it appears healthy (no deformities, no bleeding) and is peeping very loudly. Hopefully the other chicks will be encouraged to come out and give it some company

 

[beetandsteet]

Final update: 16 out of the 22 that went into lockdown (2 dozen set---1 infertile and 1 early quitter before day 10) have hatched!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3 of the 6 that didn't make it pipped internally, then died--from what I can see it looks like they died day 18. 2 of the others that died pipped on the wrong end and died. The other one that died suffocated in its egg due to a sudden drop in humidity during hatch. The incubator is turned off and is ready to be throuroughly sanitized.
One of the chicks that survived also pipped on the wrong end. It was suffocating in its own liquids in the egg, but somehow it made it! Going to be keeping a close eye on that little dude.

All the rest of them are perfectly healthy. I am so happy! 2 of my other 3 hatches have been less than 50% success--and those that hatched had infected navels etc. I am finally starting to understand my incubator, so maybe I can get over 80% success rate next time! I'm so grateful for the fabulous advice on this site!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Final update: 16 out of the 22 that went into lockdown (2 dozen set---1 infertile and 1 early quitter before day 10) have hatched!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3 of the 6 that didn't make it pipped internally, then died--from what I can see it looks like they died day 18. 2 of the others that died pipped on the wrong end and died. The other one that died suffocated in its egg due to a sudden drop in humidity during hatch. The incubator is turned off and is ready to be throuroughly sanitized.
One of the chicks that survived also pipped on the wrong end. It was suffocating in its own liquids in the egg, but somehow it made it! Going to be keeping a close eye on that little dude.

All the rest of them are perfectly healthy. I am so happy! 2 of my other 3 hatches have been less than 50% success--and those that hatched had infected navels etc. I am finally starting to understand my incubator, so maybe I can get over 80% success rate next time! I'm so grateful for the fabulous advice on this site!

That's great! Congrats!