Don't throw the eggs away...

[Knobby]

So I was getting ready to throw away my previous batch of eggs, since it's been 25 days already, but low and behold...1 chick has successfully pip'd with 2 others in the process...

 

[swamphiker]

Congratulations!!

 

[Knobby]

Congratulations!!

Thank you..it's our 2 attempt at incubation, but the first time around, we weren't successful. Was beginning to question the quality of the incubator.

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

Thank you..it's our 2 attempt at incubation, but the first time around, we weren't successful. Was beginning to question the quality of the incubator.

I think I have that model. I would add a second hygrometer/ thermometer in the corner. I’ve noticed that it isn’t great, but it’s reliable. Typically get between 5 and 10 chickens from every 15 eggs I set.

 

[Knobby]

I did place a separate hygrometer in it, this time around, and it was way different than what the incubator readings were putting out. Showed 91 degrees, 40% humidity, while the incubator read 100 degrees/67% humidity...so I went with the incubator numbers.

I noticed that the left side of the machine never really got as hot or humid as the right, so I made sure I placed my eggs on the right side. For the next batch of eggs, will try using the styrofoam that was shipped with it.

 

[Knobby]

I think I have that model. I would add a second hygrometer/ thermometer in the corner. I’ve noticed that it isn’t great, but it’s reliable. Typically get between 5 and 10 chickens from every 15 eggs I set.

This is the setup I have. Not sure if I got it from Amazon or Temu...

 

[wrathsfarm]

I did place a separate hygrometer in it, this time around, and it was way different than what the incubator readings were putting out. Showed 91 degrees, 40% humidity, while the incubator read 100 degrees/67% humidity...so I went with the incubator numbers.

I noticed that the left side of the machine never really got as hot or humid as the right, so I made sure I placed my eggs on the right side. For the next batch of eggs, will try using the styrofoam that was shipped with it.

I'm gonna chime in with some half knowledge and a tag from an expert. If your secondary hygrometer is calibrated correctly and reading 99.5 go by that reading as incubators readings are notorious for being off. My first hatch was a fail also and once I found out the temp was way off, my second hatch was better.

It's possible you had such a late hatch because your temp was so low at 91 inside but the incubator reading was 100 so you had slower developing eggs.

Congrats on your hatch

@Debbie292d ..can you add anything or correct me if I'm wrong?

 

[Knobby]

I'm gonna chime in with some half knowledge and a tag from an expert. If your secondary hygrometer is calibrated correctly and reading 99.5 go by that reading as incubators readings are notorious for being off. My first hatch was a fail also and once I found out the temp was way off, my second hatch was better.

It's possible you had such a late hatch because your temp was so low at 91 inside but the incubator reading was 100 so you had slower developing eggs.

Congrats on your hatch

@Debbie292d ..can you add anything or correct me if I'm wrong?

That was what I was thinking...lower than expected temp/humidity readings, thus leading to a late hatch. Will calibrate the hygrometer, that I've used with my bearded dragons, and utilize it during my next batch of eggs.

 

[Debbie292d]

I'm gonna chime in with some half knowledge and a tag from an expert. If your secondary hygrometer is calibrated correctly and reading 99.5 go by that reading as incubators readings are notorious for being off. My first hatch was a fail also and once I found out the temp was way off, my second hatch was better.

It's possible you had such a late hatch because your temp was so low at 91 inside but the incubator reading was 100 so you had slower developing eggs.

Congrats on your hatch

@Debbie292d ..can you add anything or correct me if I'm wrong?

Nope, you nailed it. I'll chime in too that even though we have maintained 99.5, I've had a couple in the past that had air sacs on the side and usually they hatch but one took three days. I had all the others out and he took his sweet time.


I would really, really worry about those if the temp was more than a degree off of 99.5 is when mortality and disabilities (disjointed joints, splay legs, cross beak, curled toes, and other things) start increasing.

 

[Knobby]

Nope, you nailed it. I'll chime in too that even though we have maintained 99.5, I've had a couple in the past that had air sacs on the side and usually they hatch but one took three days. I had all the others out and he took his sweet time.


I would really, really worry about those if the temp was more than a degree off of 99.5 is when mortality and disabilities (disjointed joints, splay legs, cross beak, curled toes, and other things) start increasing.

How long should we wait to take out the chicks that do hatch out? Do not want to risk vacuum sealing the unhatched ones.