day 20 - no signs...

[tjb]

What did the humidity drop to? And did it come back up? I'd leave them until day 22. They might surprise you.

never dropped below 65 and came back up pretty quickly to 73-75. I will leave them a couple more days before completely stressing.

 

[AlleysChicks]

Oh the humidity should be fine then. I was thinking super low!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Relax. Take a deep breath. I know, easier said than done. I still get concerned when something unusual happens.

That 21-day thing is just a guideline. It's not unusual for eggs to be a couple of days early or late, whether in an incubator or under a broody hen. There are different reasons for that. Average incubating temperature is a big one but there are other possible reasons. One of the hardest things to do right now is to be patient but patience is your best friend. There is nothing you can do at this point to help but you can cause harm.

That kind of humidity swing is not an issue, it will not cause a problem. You don't want a temperature spike to dangerous levels but a temperature drop is not a huge problem as long as it's not really cold for extended periods. At that stage the chicks are generating a lot of heat of their own inside the egg. Even earlier in the incubation phase they can manage some periods of cooler temperatures.

I know it's nerve-wracking, especially your first time, but I haven't seen anything in your posts that I'd be concerned about.

Good luck!

 

[tjb]

Relax. Take a deep breath. I know, easier said than done. I still get concerned when something unusual happens.

That 21-day thing is just a guideline. It's not unusual for eggs to be a couple of days early or late, whether in an incubator or under a broody hen. There are different reasons for that. Average incubating temperature is a big one but there are other possible reasons. One of the hardest things to do right now is to be patient but patience is your best friend. There is nothing you can do at this point to help but you can cause harm.

That kind of humidity swing is not an issue, it will not cause a problem. You don't want a temperature spike to dangerous levels but a temperature drop is not a huge problem as long as it's not really cold for extended periods. At that stage the chicks are generating a lot of heat of their own inside the egg. Even earlier in the incubation phase they can manage some periods of cooler temperatures.

I know it's nerve-wracking, especially your first time, but I haven't seen anything in your posts that I'd be concerned about.

Good luck!

Thanks so much! first go round so just anxious! On the very GREAT side, one just pipped!!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Thanks so much! first go round so just anxious! On the very GREAT side, one just pipped!!

 

[AlleysChicks]

Thanks so much! first go round so just anxious! On the very GREAT side, one just pipped!!

I bet more will now. It's always a competition I feel like.

 

[tjb]

Everything is looking good with the first of 3. Still no action on the other 2... but I am still hoping.

 

[AlleysChicks]

I bet overnight the action will happen. That's what happened to me the first time. I had finally went to bed because I couldn't stay awake. Woke up to not 1 but 2 babies and the 3rd hatched as soon as I looked through the glass.

 

[tjb]

Thanks so much for all the help:

Okay, so I am not stressing too bad, however, there was not much process overnight. I hear the chick and it seems lively. Is it normal not to have more progression?

 

[AlleysChicks]

They practice breathing and finish absorbing the yolk. Yolk butt chicks are a pain in the butt to deal with. Keep and eye on it. It should start zipping soon. Is your humidity still high?