Day 26... No chicks

[ChickenCanoe]

Hi! They are Ayam Cemani and it's an Little Giant still air incubator. We were thinking maybe we would candle them again next.

Say no more. Little Giant incubators have killed more embryos here than I care to remember. Temperature swings are the biggest problem.
With a guaranteed accurate thermometer, a high/low temperature alarm and a baby monitor, I was able to hatch eggs in one - if I happened to be home to hear the alarm go off.

 

[gimmie birdies]

So sad. I have a AC 7 months old, she started to lay her eggs then went broody, now she is not broody but not laying either. My solid Blue wyandottes are going bananas though.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Say no more. Little Giant incubators have killed more embryos here than I care to remember. Temperature swings are the biggest problem.
With a guaranteed accurate thermometer, a high/low temperature alarm and a baby monitor, I was able to hatch eggs in one - if I happened to be home to hear the alarm go off.

Is that the only one? There is a Hova bator with temperature swings too

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

What temperature was your incubator set at during the incubation period? And what humidity did you run it at before the lockdown period? What is it at now?

If you can candle them again, please take some pictures so we can help you with what you see.

It's those damn Little Giant still air incubators....... they are known to break the hearts of little munchkins around the world hoping to experience their first incubation, and they can even draw tears from veteran chicken keepers.

 

[needmorechicks504]

What temperature was your incubator set at during the incubation period? And what humidity did you run it at before the lockdown period? What is it at now?

If you can candle them again, please take some pictures so we can help you with what you see.

It was set to 99.5-99.7 give or take. The humidity was at 55-60% then I attempted to bring it up to 70-75% at lockdown but it wouldn't rise that high no matter what I did. Then I placed a glass of water and rung out a warm cloth and laid the eggs on it and the humidity held at 78%, which is where it is now. I kinda get the feeling it wasn't humid enough at the starting of lock down. I tap on the egg a little but theirs no sound. I thought I saw movement yesterday but that might just be wishful thinking.

 

[littleprairieheartsfarm]

It's those damn Little Giant still air incubators....... they are known to break the hearts of little munchkins around the world hoping to experience their first incubation, and they can even draw tears from veteran chicken keepers.

Yep. Depending on what temperature she ran the bator at, it could still be possible that they are living since still air has to be run more at a 101-103° temp instead of 99-100 of a forced air. Thus causing a delayed development

 

[needmorechicks504]

Is that the only one? There is a Hova bator with temperature swings too

I had a feeling this incubator was going to be a problem from the get go.

 

[littleprairieheartsfarm]

It was set to 99.5-99.7 give or take. The humidity was at 55-60% then I attempted to bring it up to 70-75% at lockdown but it wouldn't rise that high no matter what I did. Then I placed a glass of water and rung out a warm cloth and laid the eggs on it and the humidity held at 78%, which is where it is now. I kinda get the feeling it wasn't humid enough at the starting of lock down. I tap on the egg a little but theirs no sound. I thought I saw movement yesterday but that might just be wishful thinking.

Ah there you go. That’s too low to run a still air at. That humidity is actually really high for incubation. Raising it to the 70s is when pipping has begun to make sure the membranes don’t dry out.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

It was set to 99.5-99.7 give or take. The humidity was at 55-60% then I attempted to bring it up to 70-75% at lockdown but it wouldn't rise that high no matter what I did. Then I placed a glass of water and rung out a warm cloth and laid the eggs on it and the humidity held at 78%, which is where it is now. I kinda get the feeling it wasn't humid enough at the starting of lock down. I tap on the egg a little but theirs no sound. I thought I saw movement yesterday but that might just be wishful thinking.

When you are incubating them 'still air'.... meaning no fan blowing inside the incubator, you're supposed to run it a bit hotter than the forced-air variety, I think somewhere in the 101 to 102 degree range (do a search). I still think even though the temp was cooler than it should have been for a still-air incubator, at 26 days if they eggs are still viable I would think they would have hatched already.

 

[needmorechicks504]

I'm going to wait on my husband to candle them when he gets home. Till then I'll keep watching for movement or hopefully some sort of sound. Thank you all so much!