Day 22!

[Ashleylouisa]

Hey guys, I locked two eggs down on day 18, they were very active. Day 21 ended at 4pm today, would you candle and check or leave the incubator sealed? No pip or noise from inside

Thanks

 

[ChickenCanoe]

In my honest opinion, there isn't anything you can do if they are in trouble. The damage has been done. If there is something going on and you drop the humidity by opening the incubator, that makes matters worse.
There may be many reasons why embryos that make it to term don't have the energy to escape.

 

[Ashleylouisa]

In my honest opinion, there isn't anything you can do if they are in trouble. The damage has been done. If there is something going on and you drop the humidity by opening the incubator, that makes matters worse.
There may be many reasons why embryos that make it to turn don't have the energy to escape.

Thankyou. This was my thought too. Is it often that they do hatch late or do you think it's likley that they havnt survived?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I've hatched a lot. Perhaps at least 200 this year. In my experience, if all the conditions are right and they don't explode out on day 21, there is very little chance of saving them.
Even if you do an assisted hatch, it just isn't worth it. You might get a breathing chick out but it usually can't stand up and is eventually lost.
I don't assist often but I used to if I thought it was my fault (poor incubation conditions) I would try to assist and I probably only saved 3% of them. And I don't really want to base my breeding program on less than vigorous chicks.

 

[Ashleylouisa]

I've hatched a lot. Perhaps at least 200 this year. In my experience, if all the conditions are right and they don't explode out on day 21, there is very little chance of saving them.
Even if you do an assisted hatch, it just isn't worth it. You might get a breathing chick out but it usually can't stand up and is eventually lost.
I don't assist often but I used to if I thought it was my fault (poor incubation conditions) I would try to assist and I probably only saved 3% of them. And I don't really want to base my breeding program on less than vigorous chicks.

Woke up to a pip this morning, slow progress but happy we've had one start!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Fingers crossed for your hatch.
So hatching on day 22 usually signals that the temperature was about a degree low throughout incubation.

 

[Ashleylouisa]

Fingers crossed for your hatch.
So hatching on day 22 usually signals that the temperature was about a degree low throughout incubation.

Update: Both chicks hatched before the end of day 22 and very vigerous and we'll. Very pleased! Attached a photo of the first one to pop out!