Detached air cells after setting eggs/humidity

[igorsMistress]

Hi all,

I had eggs shipped within my state, received the next day. 3/15 were broken, not the breeders fault the box had been squished. They were packed quite well.

I left them to settle and candled before I put them in the incubator. Air cells were attached. I candled at 7 days and now 4 of the shipped eggs plus one of my own have detached cells. I'm scratching my head. Plus, the air cells are rather large for this stage.

I've put the eggs in a carton but I've read that yes I should tilt and no I shouldn't. Help!!

Also, the humidity was at 40ish but since the air cells are so big I've increased it to 50. They're what I would expect to see around hatch time and they're only half way through.

Am I doing the right things here? All eggs have development.

Thanks!

 

[chickens really]

@WVduckchick
Possibly she will help you?

 

[WVduckchick]

Hey IM!
Can’t say that I’ve ever had air cells become detached after setting if they were attached prior to setting.

I set eggs this past Saturday that were shipped to me from California! Most air cells were loose, but none were totally detached. I incubated for 24 hours upright, without moving. Since then I have been tilting 45 degrees, then back upright, opposite 45 degrees and back upright, only about 3 times a day. Hoping for enough movement to keep the CAM developing properly, but not too much hoping the air cells will lock back in.

There are tons of studies and opinions on which way to go, so I think you just kinda have to pick one. Lol!

But I do recommend, if you are going to tilt them, check the “float” and do the tilt perpendicular to the direction of the deepest saddle. Hope that makes sense.

Good luck!!

 

[ChickNanny13]

@Alaskan @Texas Kiki @WVduckchick @sylviethecochin
Your expertise is needed Thank you in advance

If I recall correctly, you increase humidity to enlarge the air cell (lockdown). No clue why the cells were attached now detached Wait for those that are more experienced to reply. What temp do you have it set at? What incubator are you using? I would leave in the egg carton for now, remove at lockdown? Guessing

 

[WVduckchick]

I forgot about the air cell size. I’d try running humidity around 50% and see if they stop growing so rapidly. Hopefully that would be high enough to slow them down.

 

[Alaskan]

If I recall correctly, you increase humidity to enlarge the air cell (lockdown).

Increase humidity to slow air cell growth.

Reduce humidity to increase air cell growth.

 

[Alaskan]

When incubating shipped eggs I put them upright in cartons (paper cartons)

As soon as they reach room temperature I put them in the incubator.

After about 12 hours I start to rotate by GENTLY tilting the incubator 45 degrees first one way then the other. But I do it as often as I can remember... so maybe 5x every 24 hours.

 

[igorsMistress]

@WVduckchick and @Alaskan thank you!! I'm sure I missed that they moved and it's my fault entirely! Note to self, be more careful next time.

I left them flat last night and tilted the carton twice today. Will move them back to flat for tonight and try the three way bit until lockdown.

Thank you again!

 

[igorsMistress]

@WVduckchick thank you!! 2 air cells have much improved and the others seem to have reattached. All the eggs are showing growth and movement still.

I'm going to just keep doing what I'm doing until lockdown.

Thank you again!!

 

[WVduckchick]

Great news!