This incubation has been eventful, had a heatwave where the outside temp hit 40c which played on my incubators temp (no air con), the auto turner broke for the first 14 days then worked for 3 and then stopped on the last day and we had a blackout last night just before going into lockdown, only short thankfully.
I was also looking to follow the dry incubation method, my humidity was in the 20s however which I decided was just too low (especially one I learned my one survivor to lockdown from my first attempt got shrink wrapped from low humidity) so I have been adding water to keep it in the 40s which seems to have developed the air sacs to the correct size from comparing pics, I don't have a scale and it is tough to tell with a couple of saddle shaped air sacs so fingers crossed here.
Despite all that 9 eggs have made it safely to lockdown out of 18 set, the eggs were posted and only 10 started developing/were fertile (I didn't check/open the clears but I assume non fertile or too damaged from the post) - one quit very early and was a blood ring by first candling at day seven. That gives a fertility/viable embryo after posting of around 56% and survival to lockdown of 90% of the viable eggs! Hoepfully I can post pics shortly of the little peeps, just a little excited!
Humidity is cranked with all water areas filled, one hygrometer reads 80-85% the other 60-65% so I'm hoping it is going to be ok.
One question, 21 days is considered the standard incubation time for chicken eggs. Is this measured from when they pip or are fully hatched? Just curious so I can work out if I had the temp to hot, too cool or just right!
I was also looking to follow the dry incubation method, my humidity was in the 20s however which I decided was just too low (especially one I learned my one survivor to lockdown from my first attempt got shrink wrapped from low humidity) so I have been adding water to keep it in the 40s which seems to have developed the air sacs to the correct size from comparing pics, I don't have a scale and it is tough to tell with a couple of saddle shaped air sacs so fingers crossed here.
Despite all that 9 eggs have made it safely to lockdown out of 18 set, the eggs were posted and only 10 started developing/were fertile (I didn't check/open the clears but I assume non fertile or too damaged from the post) - one quit very early and was a blood ring by first candling at day seven. That gives a fertility/viable embryo after posting of around 56% and survival to lockdown of 90% of the viable eggs! Hoepfully I can post pics shortly of the little peeps, just a little excited!
Humidity is cranked with all water areas filled, one hygrometer reads 80-85% the other 60-65% so I'm hoping it is going to be ok.
One question, 21 days is considered the standard incubation time for chicken eggs. Is this measured from when they pip or are fully hatched? Just curious so I can work out if I had the temp to hot, too cool or just right!
