Day 17

[mom'sfolly]

Tomorrow is day 18 for the eggs. All six silkie eggs are developing, 5 or 6 RIR and 4 buff orps. I can't wait. I so hope I get a good hatch. The temperature was a little low for the first couple of days, but has been pretty steady ever since. Just a couple of quick questions. How many people candle on day 18. Do you candle at the start of day 18 or at the end? What should I see when I candle? Do I up the humidity first thing and then just let them rest?

Hatch is supposed to happen on the day of the Texas Chicken Meetup and Blue Bonnet Classic poultry show. If I leave the house do they hatch faster?

Anxiously waiting....

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

I hope you have a great hatch and keep us updated on them pips!

 

[Fancy Feather Poultry]

I've candled all the way up to day 20, but I wouldnt suggest it for only more then 2-3 mins sence the egg will still be warm when you take it out of the bator. If you do take it out to candle theres no real time to do it, me personaly wait till its dark and take my blanket and hide under it and candle. I wouldnt toss and turn the egg to much thought if you are going to candle also


Hope this helped you

 

[hinkjc]

I do not candle after day 14, unless there was something questionable. By then, you should know if they're going to make it to hatch or not. Candling at the end is risky in my opinion, especially day 20 when they are positioning themselves to hatch. I lay them down on day 18 and they aren't touched again until they are moved to the brooder when the hatch is complete. Fingers crossed for a good hatch.

Jody

 

[Tsagirl]

Jody, I am gonna candle on day 10 and then on day 18. Would candling them on day 17 be better?

Also there are 48 eggs, should I split apart candling days so they wont get cold sitting out?

I am only on day 2 and am already a nervious wreck. LOL

 

[d_rooster]

No, they do not hatch any faster if you go away for the day or otherwise try to do something fun to take your mind off the hatching event.

I tried that this weekend and today the eggs are on day 21 and they are taking their sweet time to hatch which is obviously payback for me leaving them alone for a few days.

Those eggs are going to find a way to get your attention and make you agonize before the hatch is done.

 

[mom'sfolly]

Drat, I was hoping going away would help. I can't wait til they start peeping....waiting isn't my best thing.

 

[speckledhen]

If I have a large number of eggs to candle, I candle part of them one day and a couple days later, do the rest of them; OR, sometimes, I'll do a representative sampling of whatever breeds I have in there, so maybe not every single one will actually get candled. It helps to number each egg in pencil so that you can make a note of any that are questionable and can re-candle them later on.

 

[mom'sfolly]

Day 18, I upped the humidity, kinda hard because it is so dry here now. I'm trying not to look in the bator every 5 seconds. Six out of 6 silkie eggs are developing, 4 out of seven buff orps and 6 out of 8 RIR. My fingers are crossed and I'm waiting......