Eggs Just Got Here And I’m Freaking Out!

[ButtonHoarder]

Did they look okay when you candle them?

I’m not entirely sure what I’m looking for... can I post pics?
And this one is broken:

is it still ok?

 

[Sierra G]

If it's not leaking it still has a chance as long as the membrane is intact. Write the work cracked on the egg if the crack is only visible while candling so you know to handle it extra carefully. If the crack is easy to see you might want to seal it. I use a porus surgical tape but other people have had success with wax or glues. Use the search function and look for crack repair.

The uniform lightness of the egg is an indication there's no development which is normal now, but not what you'll want to see when you candle again in 12 days. At this point you're candling to look for damage and air cells. Damage is easy to see while candling even if it's not visible just looking. The air cell is just an air pocket so it's harder to see. It should be at the big end, opposite the crack on the pictured egg, and ideally it shouldn't move around when the egg is rotated.

 

[ButtonHoarder]

If it's not leaking it still has a chance as long as the membrane is intact. Write the work cracked on the egg if the crack is only visible while candling so you know to handle it extra carefully. If the crack is easy to see you might want to seal it. I use a porus surgical tape but other people have had success with wax or glues. Use the search function and look for crack repair.

Okay, thanks.

indication there's no development which is normal now, but not what you'll want to see when you candle again in 12 days. At this point you're candling to look for damage and air cells. Damage is easy to see while candling even if it's not visible just looking. The air cell is just an air pocket so it's harder to see. It should be at the big end, opposite the crack on the pictured egg, and ideally it shouldn't move around when the egg is rotated.

Uh oh, a bunch of theirs did move around when I was candling.... can they still develop and hatch?

 

[ButtonHoarder]

Ok, temp is at 100.5, does the humidity have to be perfect?

 

[Sierra G]

Okay, thanks.


Uh oh, a bunch of theirs did move around when I was candling.... can they still develop and hatch?

Yes they can. The chick expects the air pocket to be at the big end, instinctively. And when it starts using its lungs that will be the first air it breathes, so it's kind of important for it to be able to find it. If there's room cut the botton of an egg carton, divide it into three equally sized pieces, and stand the damaged air cell eggs, big end up and slightly tilted, in the incubator in an egg carton piece. Hand turn the eggs 3-5 timed a day at regular intervals on days 2-5. If that doesn't fit your schedule do it on days 2 and 3 and then let the automatic turner take over. During the first six days of incubation the embryo grows blood vessels out to the membrane for oxygen. A side effect of this is that the membrane becomes slightly more rigid. Another thing that helps is that the egg starts to lose water which gives the membrane a more defined shape.

In some cases the air cell won't stay in place. That can lead to the chick pipping in the wrong place or having trouble orienting himself to zip. When you candle on day 12 just make a note of any eggs that still have a problem and watch for those types of problems with those eggs at hatch.

 

[MysteryChicken]

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°F is perfect. The fluctuations are normal.

What type of incubator are you using, Still Air, or Forced Air?

 

[MysteryChicken]

100.0°F - 100.5°F is recommended for Still Air Incubators, & that temperature is also used in hatcheries for faster developing embryos.

 

[Sierra G]

Ok, temp is at 100.5, does the humidity have to be perfect?

Nope. It can be anywhere between 30 and 50. You want it low enough the egg loses weight to evaporation but high enough it doesn't dry out too fast. You want to lose between 4.5% and 5.5% of the eggs weight each week of incubation.

Try for 50% humidity but get there gradually. It's easier to add water than it is to remove it. But you'll lose some due to evaporation daily unless your ambient humidity is high so you'll need to add a little every few days to maintain the desired humidity.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Ok, temp is at 100.5, does the humidity have to be perfect?

I keep my humidity at 35% - 45% before lockdown. At lockdown I increase the humidity to about 55% - 65%.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Okay, thanks.


Uh oh, a bunch of theirs did move around when I was candling.... can they still develop and hatch?

Jiggly, or detached air cell eggs require upright incubation, fat end up. You can go about 3-5 days without turning, or you can gently rock the eggs back, & forth until the aircells are stable, or reattached.