Day 21

[ahatchew]

Today is day 21 and we still have no live hatches. We incubated 9 eggs and upon candling them last weekend saw all 9 looked viable including one that was moving. I took them outnof the turner on day 18 amd laid them down and put more water in to raise the humidity. I have opened the incubator a few times to let the kids check them out. Could this be the problem? We have noticed the eggs have moved. I started them all facing the same direction and now most have turned sideways. This is my fist time and im just at a loss.

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, ahatchew, and

! Pleased you joined us! I'm a novice hatcher so I suggest you post in the link below. Hope your hatch goes okay!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/5/incubating-hatching-eggs

 

[ahatchew]

Also I have not noticed any cracks or "pips". But this is my first time I dont know if I would notice.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Don't give up. It is not at all unusual for eggs to go a day or so beyond the normal incubation period. Good luck for a successful hatch.

 

[ahatchew]

Thank you. How long should I wait?

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!!

Glad to have you aboard!!

 

[drumstick diva]

Every time you open the incubator the heat & humidity drops and can very well affect the eggs - especially in causing the chicks to be "shrink wrapped," at hatching.

 

[bugglesmommy]

 Every time you open the incubator the heat & humidity drops and can very well affect the eggs - especially in causing the chicks to be "shrink wrapped," at hatching.

X2. It is not really advisable to open the incubator after day 18. The last 3 days are generally called "lockdown", and that is when you up the humidity and air flow and tie your hands together so you don't open that bator up!!

21 days is the baseline for chicken eggs, but other factors can cause them to be sooner or later. For example a slight low temp could cause them to hatch later. If they are wiggling, they are alive. Eggs may rock a few days beforehand and they may start cheeping when hatch time is closer, usually within a day they will pip after you hear them.

Once they pip they will rest and absorb the blood vessels and yolk. This may take a full day. DO NOT ASSISTANT TOO SOON. Jumping the gun can be and often is fatal.

Hope I helped!

 

[drumstick diva]

buggles mommy thanks for elaborating on that -

 

[ahatchew]

What exactly is shrink wrapping? We got one pip late last night early this morning and it has been moving. The other 8 however have not pipped. They were moving throughout day 18-20 i have not opened the incubator for over 24 hrs and when i did beforenit was only for a brief moment to check the water or add water.