Eggs Hatching Day 18!?

[saving grace]

One of my eggs pipped today, at day 18. Then three others pipped right after they reached day 19. I was definitely NOT expecting that first chirp.

I've incubated twice before with this incubator (it's a Hovabator) with great success, though both times they hatched early, late day 19 to early day 20. I surmised my Govee thermometer must have been calibrated improperly, though I did it myself, and very carefully.

So this hatch I ensured to run the temp a bit lower... and here we are. These eggs aren't bantams, by the way, and the pipped ones are spread all throughout the incubator, so it isn't a hot spot.

Is my thermometer actually calibrated way off, and my temp is a lot higher than it's reading? Or are my chicks just hasty to get out?!

I'm curious to hear your experiences!

 

[Debbie292d]

If they aren't bantams, I'd presume the incubator is around .5 or 1 full degree off. I'd recalibrate the Govee.

I hatch silkies, and this year over 400 by now. I've had a couple of pips at Day 18, but they didn't hatch until the 19th day. So it's not hugely common even with bantams.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Temperature is a biggie but it may not be the only reason. My eggs typically hatch a couple of days early whether in the incubator or under a broody hen. Yes, I calibrated my incubator and it is different broody hens.

I suspect part of my reason for them being early is heredity. Not sure where you got your eggs or if that could be a factor. There are other possible factors too.

I'd try recalibrating it, maybe with a different method or comparing it to a different thermometer. If it is that consistent you have to consider temperature.

Good luck figuring it out. Since it consistently happens under my broody hens I strongly suspect something other than incubator temperature.

 

[PrettyCoolChicks]

I just had the surprise of a duckling already externally piping on lockdown day with my hovabator... eggs from the same parents were late to hatch last time in a brinsea so in my case i assume it is a higher than shown temperature issue.