Eggs Just Got Here And I’m Freaking Out!

[ButtonHoarder]

So, my Old English Game bantam eggs just got here. They were supposed to ship three weeks ago, but their hens were having trouble keeping up with all the orders. They said they would send me an email when they shipped, but NO NOTHING. They just came like an hour ago and that’s how long I’ve had the incubator running.
Should I put the eggs in soon, or wait?
And also, should I stick these thermometers in there?

Please help me, this will be my first hatch and I want to do everything perfectly and get some chicks! Thanks so much!!

 

[Sierra G]

Shipped eggs need to sit in a carton, egg cell (big end) up, for at least 12 hours before you set them. Use the tracking number on the package to see what the tracking history is like. Longer shipping times of four to five days might need to rest longer. Candle the eggs after 12 hours and decide how things look before starting them. You want a well defined, well positioned air cell that stays in place.

Your incubator will come up to temperature quickly. But you'll want to check it every few hours to make sure it's holding a consistent temperature. Shipped eggs have problems you can't control, so do everything you can to control what you can to offset the problems. Consistent temperature and humidity, frequent turning, a clean incubator, and sanitary handling conditions will all improve your hatching chances. But be aware than many people are reporting more difficulty with the hatch rate of shipped eggs (USPS) this year than in the past. Good luck.

Edit: the thermometers can be placed on top the eggs. Bunch them up and lay the thermometer flat balanced on two or three eggs. Try to position it so you can read it without opening the incubator. The thermometers will help you make sure the thermostat on your incubator is accurate and that your eggs aren't sitting in a spot that's warmer or cooler than the rest of the incubator.

If you have more detailed questions tell us what the tracking history was like, what kind of eggs you got, and what you're using for an incubator (brand and model if you know). Thanks.

 

[ButtonHoarder]

Shipped eggs need to sir in a carton egg cell (big end) up for at least 12 hours beforee you set them. Use the tracking number on the package to see what the tracking history is like. Longer shipping times of 4 to five days might need longer. Candle the eggs after 12 hours and decide how things look before starting them.

Ok!

Your incubator will come up to temperature quickly. But you'll want to check it every few hours to make sure it's holding a consistent temperature. Shipped eggs have problems you can't control, so do everything you can to control what you can to offset them. Consistent temperature and humidity, frequent turning, a clean incubator, and sanitary handling conditions will all improve your hatching chances. But be aware than many people are reporting more difficulty with the hatch rate of shipped eggs (USPS) this year than in the past.

K, I definitely will. It’s been going back and forth from 99.4-99.5 and 99.6. Is that too inconsistent?
I have an automatic turner in there, so hopefully that helps?
I’ve sanitized it, in my opinion really well

Thanks so much for the reply! I’m trying to be calm here!

 

[Sierra G]

Ok!

K, I definitely will. It’s been going back and forth from 99.4-99.5 and 99.6. Is that too inconsistent?
I have an automatic turner in there, so hopefully that helps?
I’ve sanitized it, in my opinion really well

Thanks so much for the reply! I’m trying to be calm here!

That's fine, but you might want to go up to 100 or 100.5 for chickens. It depends on breed and egg size.

The turner will definitely make things easier, but you'll still want to mark the eggs so you can make sure they're turning and, hopefully, staying in sync. It's not as big a problem if the turner tilts instead of rolling the egg, but don't assume everything is going to stay working and have a backup plan for the things you can correct for.

You can use the thermometers now. Put one in the center of the incubator and the other in a corner, or at the edge if it's a round incubator. Check it in about 20 minutes and see how close to the target temperature these spots are. You can repeat this to check all the corners and areas that might get more or less circulation that the rest of the incubator.

And practice calm. It will help you to avoid messing with the eggs too much when they're getting closer to hatch.

 

[Sierra G]

I'm not sure I was clear, but sanitary handling conditions also means washyour hands with soap and water and dry them before touching the eggs. Skin oils can block pores in the shells making them less porous and chemicals or bacteria on your hands can contaminate the eggs. It may sound like I'm being fussy, but it makes a difference. Even if it means only one more egg will hatch its not like you'd be having the eggs shipped if they were easy to get locally. And because you're having them shipped one more chick could be a meaningful percentage of your hatch, especially if it's a pullet.

 

[ButtonHoarder]

That's fine, but you might want to go up to 100 or 100.5 for chickens. It depends on breed and egg size.

Ok, this morning it seems to be at 99.5 whenever I check. They’re OEGBs, so would they be a higher or lower temp? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks

 

[ButtonHoarder]

I'm not sure I was clear, but sanitary handling conditions also means washyour hands with soap and water and dry them before touching the eggs. Skin oils can block pores in the shells making them less porous and chemicals or bacteria on your hands can contaminate the eggs. It may sound like I'm being fussy, but it makes a difference. Even if it means only one more egg will hatch its not like you'd be having the eggs shipped if they were easy to get locally. And because you're having them shipped one more chick could be a meaningful percentage of your hatch, especially if it's a pullet.

Yeah, I will be very careful about washing my hands, and everything has been sanitized.
And especially since this is my first hatch, I don’t really know what I’m doing.
Thank you for all the help!

 

[Sierra G]

Ok, this morning it seems to be at 99.5 whenever I check. They’re OEGBs, so would they be a higher or lower temp? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks

99.5 is probably the default setting. You can change the temperature depending on what type of eggs you're hatching. There should be instructions in your user's manual. I usually set chickens at 100.5 but they still hatch fine at 99.5, it just takes a day or so longer. I'd contact the breeder for a recommended incubation temperature just to play it safe. If you want to start them this morning split the difference and go with 100F. If the breeder suggests something else you can change it a half degree without problems.

And if you're using the automatic turner leave it unplugged or switched off for the first 24 hours if possible. That gives the eggs time to get started without disturbing the embryo at a crucial point.

Did they look okay when you candled them?

 

[MommaHen1996]

O.0 interested.

 

[ButtonHoarder]

And if you're using the automatic turner leave it unplugged or switched off for the first 24 hours if possible. That gives the eggs time to get started without distu|Bing the embryo at a crucial point.

Ok