Classroom Incubating Project - HELP!

[EMV1017]

I have a Hova Bator circulated air incubator in my classroom that I received as part of a grant. Today we had 5 chicks that have hatched and about 6 more that have poked their beaks out of the shell. There are several more eggs that are wiggling around but have not poked through yet.

My question is, should I open the incubator to replenish the water in the two bottom trays? The instructions that come with the incubator say to have both trays filled with water. Also it says to pop the red vent on top to help the chicks dry. I feel that may be counterproductive to open the incubator and dry out the humidity. Also a few of the chicks look to be drying up, do I remove those or leave the incubator alone?

My thermometer also shows a drop in temperature, I increased the thermostat but there hasn't been too much change and it has been an hour. The temp dropped to 90 degrees. I am monitoring it to see if it increases. The only thing that has happened is the window has fogged up but the temp has not gone up.

I do not have a humidity check in there, it only came with a thermometer. From research I know I will need one of these for next time. I am just excited we have had more than one egg hatch so far.

Today is Day 21 of our hatch. We set 30 eggs on March 31st.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I have a Hova Bator circulated air incubator in my classroom that I received as part of a grant. Today we had 5 chicks that have hatched and about 6 more that have poked their beaks out of the shell. There are several more eggs that are wiggling around but have not poked through yet.

My question is, should I open the incubator to replenish the water in the two bottom trays? The instructions that come with the incubator say to have both trays filled with water. Also it says to pop the red vent on top to help the chicks dry. I feel that may be counterproductive to open the incubator and dry out the humidity. Also a few of the chicks look to be drying up, do I remove those or leave the incubator alone?

My thermometer also shows a drop in temperature, I increased the thermostat but there hasn't been too much change and it has been an hour. The temp dropped to 90 degrees. I am monitoring it to see if it increases. The only thing that has happened is the window has fogged up but the temp has not gone up.

I do not have a humidity check in there, it only came with a thermometer. From research I know I will need one of these for next time. I am just excited we have had more than one egg hatch so far.

Today is Day 21 of our hatch. We set 30 eggs on March 31st.

First, congratulations. Second if your windows are fogged up from condensation then you definiitely have enough (too much) humdity in there already. Yes, you should have the vents open for air exchange, those little ones need lots of oxygen. Letting some of that out may let your temps rise back up a bit too, just keep an eye on it so it don't shoot back up too high. When to remove chicks to the brooder is a personal decision. Some people are against opening the bator during hatch and will wait until the very end, some people remove them during hatch. I remove my chicks as soon as they start being active and moving around. As long as your humidity is up and the brooder is ready, removing chicks at your comfort and convenience should not pose a problem.

 

[EMV1017]

Thank you! So far 9 have hatched completely and there are 6 more eggs where the membrane is showing and the little beak is poking out.

We figured out the plug had been dislodged by some very excited students, the temp. came right back up when we did that. I just undid the red vent plug and the temp is holding steady. I can't check humidity without a proper thermometer, but the window is not fogged up at all. However, both trays on the bottom are still holding water.

They are very active in spurts. I don't know if this is normal, but they will perk up and move around and bump into each other and then all of a sudden will plop down and take a nap.

Thank you for the information. I did get a good video of one coming out of its egg. I have two students absent today and I feel horrible that they missed all the excitement.

It has been a very busy day in this room!

I have chickens at home, but all our chicks have come from hens that have gone broody, this is my first experience with an incubator.

 

[3riverschick]

"the membrane is showing and the little beak is poking out." This is called " Pipping" the egg. When the chick first breaks the shell open to start the hatching. As in I just has 6 peeps pip their eggs. So happy for you.
The chicks can stay in the incubator for a full day if necessary. They will feed on the yolk for the first 2 to 3 days. It is best to only give them a bit of chick grit and water the first 2 days. You want to make sure they totally absorb that yolk. Otherwise a partially absorbed yolk can make them sick later. If you are worried about "doing" more for them during this time...I always start my chicks off the 1st 2 weeks with Bovidr Labs Poultry Nutri-Drench in their water. It should be the color of very weak tea. 2ml per gallon. If you have a weak chick, give it one drop only by mouth every 8-10 hours as needed. http://www.nutridrench.com
Why this product? I have used it for over a decade on my collies and chickens. It does not need to be digested. Mainlines directly to the bloodstream. Measurable in 30 minutes with 99% utilization. All natural. great stuff, very concentrated. Tractor Supply has the lowest price at 6.99 for the small bottle. This product will give the chicks the extra strength they need while adjusting to their new world. Plus it will combat the stress they encounter by interaction with the kids. Stress compromises the birds ability to digest its feed. That's why an emergency nutritional supplement which bypasses the digestive system is so valuable and honored. Last year I raised by 42 chicks on Nutri-Drench and never had a sick or dead chick. I use at any time of stress. Esp. when birds ar adapting to new environments. Plus, the kids will all want to be feeding the chicks from the get go. This way you can show them the birds are getting extra nutrition while the yolk is being absorbed.
Best Success!
Karen

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Remember you adjusted the temp, it will take hours to settle and may need to be nudged back down.

With condensation on the windows I'd remove the chicks that hatched now and let them dry out in the brooder. You've more than enough humidity in there so lifting one side of the lid three inches to grab out chicks will actually be a good thing. I've had problems with too high of humidity (the membrane gets sticky, chicks sticky) which makes it harder for them to move to zip the shell and your more likely needing to assist the late hatchers. Not to mention I don't like having to wash freshly hatched chicks.

BTW, congratulations on the successful hatch. Far too often classroom incubations that come to BYC for help are going horribly awry. Glad the kids got to see success and not chicks purchased at the feed store over the weekend put in the incubator for when children arrive Monday. That happens a lot. And kids are smart, they must wonder what happened to all the egg shells.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

"the membrane is showing and the little beak is poking out." This is called " Pipping" the egg. When the chick first breaks the shell open to start the hatching. As in I just has 6 peeps pip their eggs. So happy for you.
The chicks can stay in the incubator for a full day if necessary. They will feed on the yolk for the first 2 to 3 days. It is best to only give them a bit of chick grit and water the first 2 days. You want to make sure they totally absorb that yolk. Otherwise a partially absorbed yolk can make them sick later. If you are worried about "doing" more for them during this time...I always start my chicks off the 1st 2 weeks with Bovidr Labs Poultry Nutri-Drench in their water. It should be the color of very weak tea. 2ml per gallon. If you have a weak chick, give it one drop only by mouth every 8-10 hours as needed. http://www.nutridrench.com
Why this product? I have used it for over a decade on my collies and chickens. It does not need to be digested. Mainlines directly to the bloodstream. Measurable in 30 minutes with 99% utilization. All natural. great stuff, very concentrated. Tractor Supply has the lowest price at 6.99 for the small bottle. This product will give the chicks the extra strength they need while adjusting to their new world. Plus it will combat the stress they encounter by interaction with the kids. Stress compromises the birds ability to digest its feed. That's why an emergency nutritional supplement which bypasses the digestive system is so valuable and honored. Last year I raised by 42 chicks on Nutri-Drench and never had a sick or dead chick. I use at any time of stress. Esp. when birds ar adapting to new environments. Plus, the kids will all want to be feeding the chicks from the get go. This way you can show them the birds are getting extra nutrition while the yolk is being absorbed.
Best Success!
Karen

I use the sav a chick in mine for the first couple of days.

 

[lazy gardener]

I give my chicks access to water and feed immediately out of the brooder. I do like to dip their beaks, but, honestly, IMO, they'll find the water if it's within their reach. They will eat when they are ready. I've never heard of a chick getting sick from eating too soon. Conversely, I do believe that a lot of chicks are compromised by not getting fed soon enough. Short of starting an other world war, I'll just say that there are lots of opinions. I will agree that I am a fan of Nutri-Drench. Excellent product for getting chicks off to a great start.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I give my chicks access to water and feed immediately out of the brooder. I do like to dip their beaks, but, honestly, IMO, they'll find the water if it's within their reach. They will eat when they are ready. I've never heard of a chick getting sick from eating too soon. Conversely, I do believe that a lot of chicks are compromised by not getting fed soon enough. Short of starting an other world war, I'll just say that there are lots of opinions. I will agree that I am a fan of Nutri-Drench. Excellent product for getting chicks off to a great start.

xs 2. My brooder is set up with full water and feed dish from the get go. I also dip the beaks...but only because it's "recommended". I am sure if I did not that they would find it fine on their own...lol
I will say, shortly after they go in the brooder and get control of their legs they are pecking at those crumbles!!

 

[lazy gardener]

Amazing how they come out of the shell programmed to find nourishment. I don't think they read the manual about being just fine for 72 hours without food. Kind of like me... some people eat to live, while others, myself included live to eat!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Amazing how they come out of the shell programmed to find nourishment. I don't think they read the manual about being just fine for 72 hours without food. Kind of like me... some people eat to live, while others, myself included live to eat!

Lol agreed.