Day 18 normal??

[Kiki]

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Ok! The first two eggs seem to be doing ok...I can see movement. The third one’s air sac is pretty messed up, I’m not so sure.

The first one is way behind.
You should not be holding the egg upright like that.

The second one COULD be in draw down mode.
Stop moving them.

 

[Chickenupho]

The first one is way behind.
You should not be holding the egg upright like that.

The second one COULD be in draw down mode.
Stop moving them.

Ok thanks!

 

[RodNTN]

I can't say that I read through every page, but (correct me if I'm wrong) they ARE in lockdown, right? If so, stop touching them, don't put them in water; lockdown means HANDS OFF.
The first time I incubated I wouldn't stop opening the bator up during lockdown, just "making sure everyone's okay". I only ended up getting a couple of chicks out of a big batch of eggs, the others shrink wrapped.
I hatched again this year and didn't even touch the incubator during lockdown, I ended up with 16 chicks out of 18 eggs! Even though it is tough, and very tempting, you'll end up a lot happier if you keep your hands OFF during lockown

 

[Kiki]

I am going to take a wild guess and say these eggs have been handled a lot through out the whole incubation period.
Which is probably another problem.

 

[Chickenupho]

I can't say that I read through every page, but (correct me if I'm wrong) they ARE in lockdown, right? If so, stop touching them, don't put them in water; lockdown means HANDS OFF.
The first time I incubated I wouldn't stop opening the bator up during lockdown, just "making sure everyone's okay". I only ended up getting a couple of chicks out of a big batch of eggs, the others shrink wrapped.
I hatched again this year and didn't even touch the incubator during lockdown, I ended up with 16 chicks out of 18 eggs! Even though it is tough, and very tempting, you'll end up a lot happier if you keep your hands OFF during lockown

Thank you so much! Since this is my first hatch, I can’t help but check on them every couple of hours. I’m honestly not surprised if none of them hatch this time. I might have to restart and follow advice.

 

[Chickenupho]

I am going to take a wild guess and say these eggs have been handled a lot through out the whole incubation period.
Which is probably another problem.

Yep... I feel really guilty now. Again it’s my first hatch and being a curious teen doesn’t help.

 

[RodNTN]

Thank you so much! Since this is my first hatch, I can’t help but check on them every couple of hours. I’m honestly not surprised if none of them hatch this time. I might have to restart and follow advice.

No problem! Well, we all have to learn from our mistakes! How many eggs do you have in the incubator?

 

[Chickenupho]

No problem! Well, we all have to learn from our mistakes! How many eggs do you have in the incubator?

I started off with 12 eggs. This is actually a science project that I chose, I’m supposed to design my own incubator and hatch store-bought eggs. (Trader Joe’s fertile white leghorn eggs) I was really concerned with the whole process and decided to candle them every day to track their progress. This alone brought the number down to six eggs. Another egg had started to smell on day 19 so I took that one out as well. Right now I’m left with 5 eggs.

 

[Kiki]

Thank you so much! Since this is my first hatch, I can’t help but check on them every couple of hours. I’m honestly not surprised if none of them hatch this time. I might have to restart and follow advice.

Next time, if you plan on checking on them often...limit it to once or twice a day.

AND most important be quick and smooth and steady.
Pay attention to how the egg is laying in the bator when you grab it...keep it in that exact position while candling it.
Do not rotate or wiggle and jiggle it.

I candle non stop so I know the feeling but I am extremely careful with how I handle the egg.

 

[Mosey2003]

Honestly, at this point I'd just step back. We can't really give you standard hatching advice, because you're not hatching in a standard method or a proven incubator. I would just give them 3 more days without messing with them at all and see what happens.