DAY 18 EEEKKKK!!!! and of course a dilemma...

[kiaya611]

Hi All,

I am in a bit of a quandry and a tight spot.

Today is day 18 on the 1st set of my Brabanter chicken eggs. My order for my hatching incubator hasn't arrived yet (was supposed to be here a week ago).

I was thinking of switching the Brabanter eggs from the Little Giant to the Top Hatch which has Guinea eggs in it right now and stop the Turner and move the Guinea eggs to the Little Giant incubator that currently has the Brabanter eggs that are on day 18. The Little Giant also has a 2nd set of Brabanter eggs and 2 Guinea Eggs that wouldn't fit in the Top Hatch.

Does this sound reasonable and is there any way I can tell if now is in fact the time to move the eggs? If so, how high should I raise the humidity in the hatcher? I feel like a nervous mother all of a sudden

Your help would be appreciated,

 

[jimnjay]

That sounds reasonable to me. I have juggled eggs from one unit to the other before. The Top Hatch is notoriously hard to get the humidity up, depending on where you live. I had to run a little personal humidifier next to it last week to get the numbers up to 70+. They soared after the first chick hatched which is usual and I turned off the humidifier.

The little giant will stay at the 50% range if the eggs are still in the first 18 days. The Top Hatch should be in the 70% range. I place a folded paper towel under one of the top vent holes to add water directly to the sponge or papertowel below. Good luck, let us know how it goes

 

[kiaya611]

Ok, I switched out the eggs and now i am crossing my fingers. This will be my first hatch!

 

[jimnjay]

LOL, you certainly did not start out simple. You will learn lots from this experience and it will give you a good basis on which to develop your hatching skill and gain confidence.

 

[kiaya611]

I know....I never do anything in a simple way...I have another incubator that has turkey and peafowl eggs in it.

When I decided to get chicks...I thought...I will get a dozen...by the time I ordered, I had ordered 42! To this I have added a grown Peacock (a rescue) and I have 2 dozen rare chicken eggs incubating and a dozen Guinea eggs and a dozen turkey (2 breeds or heritage turkeys) and 3 peafowl). My friends call me a nut...oh well...I have always wanted to do this and I finally have the chance and am zoned for it. I am disabled and stay home most all of the time so this is my "fun".

We will see just how deep I get my self