Day 18, Air Cell Too Small - HELP!

[Deo]

I have an egg which is at the end of day 18 but the air cell is much too small.

It looks more like the size for the 14th day. I'm entering lockdown late and keeping the humidity as low as possible so the air cell has a chance to grow before the internal pip. I've candled the egg and there's no internal pip as of yet but it's very dark in there and I swear I saw the egg move in the incubator once.

Is there anything else I can do and will this chick hatch without drowning?

 

[Kiki]

There isn't much more you can do this late in the game except propping the egg up slightly...
Try folding a paper towel (dry) and putting it under the egg on the air cell side.

This can help to keep the juices down away from the beak.


Does that make sense?
I can try to get some photos if that will help.


Do you not have a salt tested humidity gauge in the bator?

 

[Tacswa3]

I wouldn't worry. My first time incubating chicken eggs (8) was a success with all 8 hatching. I had varying air sac sizes. Some I thought wouldn't hatch. My incubator was nothing special either. Just let nature do its thing.

 

[Deo]

There isn't much more you can do this late in the game except propping the egg up slightly...
Try folding a paper towel (dry) and putting it under the egg on the air cell side.

This can help to keep the juices down away from the beak.


Does that make sense?
I can try to get some photos if that will help.


Do you not have a salt tested humidity gauge in the bator?

I've just done this, the air cell side is now a bit more elevated. I followed the incubator manual and kept the humidity at 60-65%, I suppose that was much too high. :/

 

[katiek77]

I've just done this, the air cell side is now a bit more elevated. I followed the incubator manual and kept the humidity at 60-65%, I suppose that was much too high. :/

Yes too high. I am now hatching out a dry hatch and I am almost at 100% hatch rate on 17 eggs. I’m hoping all of my dark marans were fertile. Day 1-18 humidity was 23-32%. Lockdown 50-55%. All had perfect air cells. Best of luck on your hatch.

 

[Deo]

Yes too high. I am now hatching out a dry hatch and I am almost at 100% hatch rate on 20 eggs. I’m hoping all of my dark marans were fertile. Day 1-18 humidity was 23-32%. Lockdown 50-55%. All had perfect air cells. Best of luck on your hatch.

I think I’ll be a bit more careful with humidity next time. Just praying now that this guy internally pips and doesn’t drown.

Do they generally internally pip on the 19th or the 20th day?

 

[katiek77]

I

I think I’ll be a bit more careful with humidity next time. Just praying now that this guy internally pips and doesn’t drown.

Do they generally internally pip on the 19th or the 20th day?

Im not for sure. But I did have a little polish that external pipped in the middle of the egg. You could see it bubbling when it exhaled. 24 hours later it hatched on its own and it is doing great. So don’t loose hope.

 

[Fairview01]

Hatch vertically by setting egg in a carton without the lid on. Yeah I know that's not natural but once the eggs are being incubated by something other than a broody the eggs are in an artificial environment. All the rules dont have to apply all the time.

 

[katiek77]

Hatch vertically by setting egg in a carton without the lid on. Yeah I know that's not natural but once the eggs are being incubated by something other than a broody the eggs are in an artificial environment. All the rules dont have to apply all the time.

My breeder does this also. Just cut part of the lower area where the egg sits off so it gets constant airflow and humidity all around it.

 

[Kiki]

I've just done this, the air cell side is now a bit more elevated. I followed the incubator manual and kept the humidity at 60-65%, I suppose that was much too high. :/

I'd say way too high.
Next time try for closer to 30% throughout.