Differing air cells in day 17/18

[paxfarms]

I've got 6 eggs in the incubator on Day 18. 3 are Buff Orpingtons and 3 are Easter Eggers. The Buffs have fantastic air cells that have grown perfectly since day 14 when I last marked the cells. The Easter Eggers air cells have barely grown at all. They are supposed to go into lockdown tonight. The Easter Eggers have pretty small air cells. They looked fine on Days 7 and 14 and were comparable to the size of the Buffs, but the air cells have almost stopped growing since then. Humidity has been consistent all the way through between 45-50% and temp as 99.9-100.2 with a fan. Do you think they'll hatch out okay anyway? Is there something I need to do? I have seen movement in all the eggs so I know they aren't dead.

 

[chickens really]

A bit late to try now so just wait and see what happens..Best wishes.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

It's very common for eggs even of the same type and color to have different size air cells due to different porosity.

The darker the egg color usually the less evaporation it will have. The reason why it is recommended to only incubate "like" eggs together.

However... I do combined color and size hatching all the time successfully.

Air cells will still draw down quite a bit over the next few days.

My preferred humidity is 35-45% BUT 45-50... SHOULD still be okay.

Weighing the eggs and using the average weight loss is a good way to monitor if adjustment is needed to humidity... as I very often cannot see air cells in dark eggs.

The problem (for informational purposes) if air cells are too small truly... is it allows the chicks to grow to large so it won't be able to turn into position for hatch... thereby malpositioned. Alternatively it could also cause them to drown when they try to pip into the air cell and are met with liquid.

Some people who are dealing with small or rolling air cells from shipping will hatch upright (in a modified carton or their turner shut off) instead of on the side. If your temp and humidity were accurate then you *probably* don't need to try any of these tips.

Happy hatching!