Day 21... help!

[MrsZylstra]

Today is the much anticipated hatching day. I'm a first grade teacher in Iowa and brought my incubator and all other chick related things home. The eggs were put in Monday, April 13th at about 8 pm. I candled the eggs on day 18 right before lockdown and had 8 chicks alive on the inside. Someone reassure me that everything is okay. Year two of doing this. I've been updating my class through distance learning via Facebook. They are so engaged. I just want at least one to hatch during this tough time of school closures. There hasn't been a single pip yet...

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

What is the temp and humidity? Have you been turning the eggs up until lockdown?

 

[MrsZylstra]

What is the temp and humidity? Have you been turning the eggs up until lockdown?

Yes. Egg turner for that. Temp right at 99.5 with humidity around 65-70. My equipment is all new thanks to a fundraiser we did last year.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

It sounds like they are okay. Since you started the incubation at 8pm, you probably will start seeing pips and movement tomorrow morning.
Best wishes.....keep us posted on your hatch!

 

[MrsZylstra]

It sounds like they are okay. Since you started the incubation at 8pm, you probably will start seeing pips and movement tomorrow morning.
Best wishes.....keep us posted on your hatch!

Thank you! I sure hope so. I keep checking on them every hour at least!

 

[CaradineCousins]

My temp has been a little low and when i went to lockdown they were 1 day late. Hang in there and listen for those peeps. Good luck.

Your on the best forum around

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Thank you! I sure hope so. I keep checking on them every hour at least!

I get it! It’s amazing how anxious we get during Hatch Time!!! No matter how many times I incubate, the anxiety and joy is always the same....
Sending good hatching vibes your way!

 

[TheChicken-nator]

Today is the much anticipated hatching day. I'm a first grade teacher in Iowa and brought my incubator and all other chick related things home. The eggs were put in Monday, March 13th at about 8 pm. I candled the eggs on day 18 right before lockdown and had 8 chicks alive on the inside. Someone reassure me that everything is okay. Year two of doing this. I've been updating my class through distance learning via Facebook. They are so engaged. I just want at least one to hatch during this tough time of school closures. There hasn't been a single pip yet...

March 13th? They would've already hatched. Do you mean April 13? But even then they wouldve hatched today or possibly tomorrow.

 

[MrsZylstra]

March 13th? They would've already hatched. Do you mean April 13? But even then they wouldve hatched today or possibly tomorrow.

Oops yes I meant April 13th at 8pm they went into the incubator.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Yes, had to be April 13th. I do that kind of stuff all the time so don't feel bad. We know what you thought you meant to try to say. My wife usually doesn't hit me when I tell her that.

You put them in on a Monday so the 21 day thing is up on a Monday, today. Don't get too hung up on that 21 day thing. For many different reasons chicken eggs don't always hatch at exactly 21 days. Heredity, humidity, how and how long they were stored before incubation began, and just differences in the eggs all play a part. Another big factor is is average incubation temperature. If the average temperature is a bit high, they can be early, low and they can be late. Did you calibrate that thermometer against one you trust? I don't trust factory pre-sets or the thermometers they send with them I don't care how "good" the company's reputation is. I've seen them be off enough to make a difference.

Even if everything is perfect they don't always hatch on time. I've had hatches in my incubator and under broody hens be two full days early. I think it is heredity. If it were just my incubator I'd think my calibration was off but it's also under broody hens. And it's not just a few eggs, it's usually the whole hatch. Some people's eggs hatch that late, even under a broody. I figure that if a chick hatches 24 hours early or 24 hours late, it's exactly on time.

If you haven't seen a pip yet there is a fair chance that your thermometer needs calibrating. It's something you might want to check out before you do this again. How to calibrate and why might make an interesting science lesson. But if you candled them at Day 18 and they were alive, you'll probably be OK.

Wait until you get a pip and it doesn't do anything for 12, 18, maybe more hours. That happens and is quite stressful too. Oh, the joys of incubating. It's still worth it.