Confessions of a City Slicker

[mortie]

I peeked into one of the eggs tonight while I was checking the temp and humidity. I am telling you I saw, plain as day, a foot get pressed against the shell and then withdrawn. I started at the same spot and a few seconds later it happened again. Teeny little chicken toes.

Mind. Blown.

 

[aart]

I peeked into one of the eggs tonight while I was checking the temp and humidity. I am telling you I saw, plain as day, a foot get pressed against the shell and then withdrawn. I started at the same spot and a few seconds later it happened again. Teeny little chicken toes.

Mind. Blown.

Pretty cool, huh?

 

[lazy gardener]

Totally awesome. I'm starting about 24 eggs next weekend, and can't wait. Do I need these chicks? NO! I have 17 ordered to provide the breeds I want. Do I have room for these chicks? Not until I get my green house converted to a tractor... and it's still buried under 3 feet of snow. But, hatching is such a neat experience!

 

[GardenFae]

I'm gonna live vicariously through your hatch... my chicks are due to come to me on Sunday/Monday and I can't wait! :3 I'd love to hatch but with 2 cats, a dog, and a husband to "help" the eggs I don't think any of them would make it

 

[mortie]

I think hatching eggs would fare better than chicks, chicks are much more attractive to cats, dogs, and husbands. I have 1 cat, 1 dog, 3 kids, and 1 husband but so far everything has been fine.

I candled the eggs one last time this evening and they are almost totally opaque now. I didn't see any movement in any but one for sure. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little concerned but I am hoping it was just because they're squeezed in pretty tight and/or were sleeping or something. Nothing to do now but wait and see. True lockdown begins tomorrow, although I removed the turner this morning and laid them on their sides. Sure looks different in the incubator with the eggs just laying around in there all mixed up.

Also I noticed it is true that the turner adds some heat to the bator. Mine dropped a full degree after I removed it. We're back up to 99 now though.

 

[aart]

Yes, the turner does add some heat...but wait at least 24 to turn it up if you still think it needs it.
Yes, not much to see when the egg fills up on day 18....just have to have faith that they will hatch!

 

[mortie]

We're officially on chickwatch now. They could pip any time. I keep looking at them but they just sit there quietly in their warm box, driving me batty. The earliest I would expect any to actually hatch would be tomorrow but knowing my luck they'll be late

 

[MasKot]

Good luck with your hatch, it's been an interesting journey to follow so far!
Mine are going on day 17 and started wiggling yesterday... Guess I'll be seeing them a few days early if they make it

 

[mortie]

Day 20 and I have 6 pips. One of them is has broken through the membrane and if I watch it long enough, I can see the beak poke through now and then.

So right now I have 6 ameraucanas pipping and none of the mystery eggs yet.

 

[aart]

Cool it happened on the weekend so you can watch! (assuming you work fulltime)