Day 19. Anxiety

[Mother of Chicks]

For a still air you want to run closer to 100° so that makes sense as to why not much is going on. First hatch is always the toughest. I always hear amazing things about the Brinsea. What kind of incubator are you running now?
Mine started pipping and hatching day 20. I candled a couple today day 22 while adding water to my LG (it’s a pig on water) to see if things were still happening. 4 were in the air cell and I seemed to have pissed them off cause they started rocking and pipping after going back into the bator lol.
Loving my Wyandotte babies ❤

Precious babies! I think I will be a bit broken if I don't get my babies out. I'm tempted to candle tonight if nothing happens.

I tried for that temp but the bator is a hand-me-down of no specific brand (probably not a great sign) but all manual so I was turning 7 times a day - always on a different side each night. I have a humidity gauge (calibrated) and 3 thermometers in there - so I am doing my best. The Brinsea was set with 7 more today and I am already adoring the auto turn every 45 mins.

 

[Ruby Rogue]

My temps were slightly lower. I'm running at 75% humidity right now too. Your chicks will come!

 

[Krisitne]

Mine started hatching day 19 but they r silkies and I’ve read that they can hatch a bit early. All the ones in the bator are hatched now. I had 8 in there. I have 5 more that need to hatch under the broodys. Hopefully today

 

[Cherterr]

So compared to my Hovabator, it’s impossible to keep humidity and temps stable. Just so I could use it for a Hatcher and get the temp as best as I could, I have a blanket wrapped around it and a towel over, making sure the vent holes are exposed though. Even when I remove the towel on top of it to look inside, the temps drops immediately. I have put 4 calibrated hygrometers in Different spots in it and they all read different. I tested and tested it before I put my eggs in it for lockdown and that’s how I found out just how temperamental it is. I’ll still use it for a Hatcher, since I drove myself to the brink of a breakdown, figuring out all its quirks but I wouldn’t trust it for incubation with all the fluctuations. And then there is my wonderful Hovabator that keeps humming along without a problem in the world.

What a Pain!

 

[Krisitne]

What a Pain!

It sure has been. After my experience with Little Giant, I just would not recommend that incubator to anyone. I have it now so I’m just going to use it for my Hatcher.

 

[Thatothercrazychickenlady]

Precious babies! I think I will be a bit broken if I don't get my babies out. I'm tempted to candle tonight if nothing happens.

I tried for that temp but the bator is a hand-me-down of no specific brand (probably not a great sign) but all manual so I was turning 7 times a day - always on a different side each night. I have a humidity gauge (calibrated) and 3 thermometers in there - so I am doing my best. The Brinsea was set with 7 more today and I am already adoring the auto turn every 45 mins.

That’s rough! I couldn’t even start hatching without buying my turner. Hand turning always seemed like such a pain. Candling tonight should be fine but hoping you have pips by that point!

It sure has been. After my experience with Little Giant, I just would not recommend that incubator to anyone. I have it now so I’m just going to use it for my Hatcher.

same would not recommend. My LG isn’t to great either. I’ve met people that swear by it though. I’m just not impressed and am constantly worrying about it. Mine will heat it’s self to 105 and still be heating cause the internal sensor is completely out of whack.

 

[Cherterr]

I got a Farm Innovations at Tractor Supply and have been EXTREMELY happy with it. It has the egg turner, fan, etc. Back when I hatched the 2 Silkies I had a Styrofoam one with no bells and whistles, also from TS and it was okay. Hillarious thing is: Just a month before I got chickens again, I donated it to Goodwill!!

Yesterday I ran back up to TS and got the ONLY one they had left (to incubate secondary eggs for different date during Lockdown on others!) and it's looks like the same one but no fan or turner. I figure for a few days I can keep my new eggs incubating then pop the back in the 'fancy' one!

ANY PIPS yet, you guys?????

 

[Mother of Chicks]

I got a Farm Innovations at Tractor Supply and have been EXTREMELY happy with it. It has the egg turner, fan, etc. Back when I hatched the 2 Silkies I had a Styrofoam one with no bells and whistles, also from TS and it was okay. Hillarious thing is: Just a month before I got chickens again, I donated it to Goodwill!!

Yesterday I ran back up to TS and got the ONLY one they had left (to incubate secondary eggs for different date during Lockdown on others!) and it's looks like the same one but no fan or turner. I figure for a few days I can keep my new eggs incubating then pop the back in the 'fancy' one!

ANY PIPS yet, you guys?????

I think I can hear a little hollow tapping every now and then - not strong and hard to hear with 2 incubator motors running, but it's something. 4pm UK time now. If no pip by 7pm (officially day 22) I will do a candle. Watch this space - and thank you all for keeping me sane(ish)

Bex x

 

[Mother of Chicks]

It's not looking good. I did a candle and tap and nothing. They aren't moving, no signs of pipping, no noise. I have put them back in the incubator, because you never know - but I am feeling a bit broken. They were all fine on day 18 and I followed all of the advice to the letter.

Is it possible they are just sleepy/very still - or have I lost them? I know you don't know the answer to this. I just don't know what to think or do. I wanted those babies so badly.

I am not holding much hope (sorry to be such a downer). Will do a water test tomorrow if nothing happens in the meantime. I don't know what went so wrong

 

[Cherterr]

I heard others say the 'water test' is not for chicks. Just regular rotten eggs.. lol
Maaaaybe... you still have something...you never know. Did you look at candeling pics and everything? I know with my Silkies that big black eye showed up REALLY well at day 9 or 10 and I THOUGHT I could even see feathers.

I am NOT an expert.. BUT.. maybe just leave them alone!! Let them rest and keep watch... day 23 is still within acceptable hatching limits!


Hopefully others will respond!