Day 23. No pips. Is hope lost?

[UThobbyfarmer]

the eggs are from our Backyard flock. Definitely fertile. Stored in a cool dry basement for 3-5 days before setting.

I set them on March 17, 2020 around 11pm.

I’m starting to think the temp has been low and I didn’t know it. I’ve only been using the thermostat on the incubator. I just put a digital meat thermometer in there and it was hovering slightly over 36 c (don’t know how accurate that is). I’ll have to buy a second thermometer for my next attempt. But I want to give these eggs a chance if they have one. I’ve been seeing development all along. I guess I’ll just wait until day 25 and see what happens.

That's actually good news! You might definitely have some hatching. I would still open the incubator and candle or listen for progress.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

Just wondering how things are going? Have you checked the eggs yet for movement, noises, or internal pipping?

 

[N0rthernChicks]

Just wondering how things are going? Have you checked the eggs yet for movement, noises, or internal pipping?

I candled everyone when I got home tonight. It is now clear that most of them quit pretty early on. Probably around day 10ish. But there are a few left that are definitely full term and I can still see all the blood vessels alive and attached. I will give these a couple more days until day 25 but my hopes are extremely low. I’m a bit discouraged and kicking myself for trusting the built in thermometer rather than getting a second or third thermometer (as I am now almost positive the failure was due to undetected low temps). Any other constructive input is appreciated for my remaining stragglers or for my next attempt.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

I candled everyone when I got home tonight. It is now clear that most of them quit pretty early on. Probably around day 10ish. But there are a few left that are definitely full term and I can still see all the blood vessels alive and attached. I will give these a couple more days until day 25 but my hopes are extremely low. I’m a bit discouraged and kicking myself for trusting the built in thermometer rather than getting a second or third thermometer (as I am now almost positive the failure was due to undetected low temps). Any other constructive input is appreciated for my remaining stragglers or for my next attempt.

Oh no. That's a very sad update. I hate to offer advice because it's not something I've been through first hand. Maybe calibrate a thermometer (I'll have to search for directions but there are some on here) and getting the incubator to proper temp. Then, like you said, give them a bit longer. You really don't have much to lose at this point.

The best hatching advice I was given as new hatcher was "hatching isn't for the faint of heart!". Everyone has a rough hatches. Unfortunately you're getting one of those right off the bat. Dig in. Learn. Make changes. Set more eggs.