Epic fail! Made it to day 18 then nothing

[chickchickchiky]

It maintained at 28% on days 1-18 and i did do the salt test on the digital hygrometer but not the other one and they were both reading the same so i figured they were spot on and the temp maintained the same the whole time 100 dregrees would go down a degree or 2 when i opened but would come right back when i closed it. The only other thing is maybe when i floated the eggs on day 18 but i read of lots of folks doing that and hatch so i am not sure on that with the combination of putting all that water in there may have done it. I am going to put a fan on the thing this time cause maybe the circulation of air was not enough. The room they were in was perfect for maintaining temp and hum or so i thought. I am so confused!

 

[MI chickens]

I guess I would stay away from floating the eggs, leave them alone and let nature take its course

 

[ronott1]

Sorry to hear about the bad hatch.

I have to assume these were shipped eggs. There could be more problems than just too small of air cells. Also, Marans eggs need to have closer to 20% humidity for days 1-18. Other eggs should do well at 25 to 30%.

You may need to use a de-humiditifier in a small room or move to a plastic incubator. Brinsea incubators are plastic and do not seem to have as many problems with the air cell not developing.

Here is a chart:


For Marans, there is another technique to try. You can mist them once a day from 1 to 18. This slightly cools the eggs and the evaporation caused the moisture to evaporate out of the egg and makes the air cell larger. You might want to try this instead of the de humidifier. Just watch the air cells and if they are developing too fast, stop misting them.

Good luck in the future! Try hatching something easy, like Easter Eggers. I had good luck hatching those.

Ron

It maintained at 28% on days 1-18 and i did do the salt test on the digital hygrometer but not the other one and they were both reading the same so i figured they were spot on and the temp maintained the same the whole time 100 dregrees would go down a degree or 2 when i opened but would come right back when i closed it. The only other thing is maybe when i floated the eggs on day 18 but i read of lots of folks doing that and hatch so i am not sure on that with the combination of putting all that water in there may have done it. I am going to put a fan on the thing this time cause maybe the circulation of air was not enough. The room they were in was perfect for maintaining temp and hum or so i thought. I am so confused!

 

[MI chickens]

There is some advice in this article about dark eggs and air cell size https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...crets-from-the-mahonri-2012-easter-hatchathon

It talks about lightly sanding eggs so moisture is released through the shell better, I might try that on the next dark eggs I incubate, maybe.

 

[chickchickchiky]

No they were not shipped i picked them up locally which is why i thought it would be a good hatch! The next eggs are shipped from a silkie breeder on here at BYC. My air cells seemed small the whole time according to this picture so i don't know. I think i am going to move the bator to my room tonight and set it up and see if i get get things stable before i set the new eggs. Since these are shipped i should wait 24-48 hours to set correct? so the settle from shipping? They are light colored eggs so should be better to see. Is there anything special about hatching silkie's?

Sorry to hear about the bad hatch.

I have to assume these were shipped eggs. There could be more problems than just too small of air cells. Also, Marans eggs need to have closer to 20% humidity for days 1-18. Other eggs should do well at 25 to 30%.

You may need to use a de-humiditifier in a small room or move to a plastic incubator. Brinsea incubators are plastic and do not seem to have as many problems with the air cell not developing.

Here is a chart:


For Marans, there is another technique to try. You can mist them once a day from 1 to 18. This slightly cools the eggs and the evaporation caused the moisture to evaporate out of the egg and makes the air cell larger. You might want to try this instead of the de humidifier. Just watch the air cells and if they are developing too fast, stop misting them.

Good luck in the future! Try hatching something easy, like Easter Eggers. I had good luck hatching those.

Ron

 

[ronott1]

Hi chickchickchiky,

I haven't hatched Silkies, but I have not seen any posts that they are hard to hatch.

Yes, you need to move the incubator to a place that is quiet and away from Windows. Here are some tips for shipped eggs:

Damaged Air Cells in shipped Eggs:
my vet gave me a plan sheet quite a few years ago. It says for shipped eggs after the initial 24 hr rest period she had me place them in the forced air incubator in the turner but do not turn the turner on for the 1st 5 - 7 days depending on the damage..i have seen some pretty bad bubbly air cells heal as they grow and become surrounded by the veining. That gives embryo time to get a good start, after that a candling and turner goes on. You will be surprised that those will hatch, hatch them in upright position in case air cell tends to travel a lot at lockdown time. we hatched a bunch of del eggs for a friend that were shipped.
Get tubing to fill water at lockdown. Use glass food storage and clean sponge pads.
At lockdown, cut down new paper egg cartons to set eggs into. Cut out bottom of each cell for air flow. Remove from egg turner and place pointy end down. Get a foam shell mat to cover wires.

Good luck with the Silkie hatch

Ron

No they were not shipped i picked them up locally which is why i thought it would be a good hatch! The next eggs are shipped from a silkie breeder on here at BYC. My air cells seemed small the whole time according to this picture so i don't know. I think i am going to move the bator to my room tonight and set it up and see if i get get things stable before i set the new eggs. Since these are shipped i should wait 24-48 hours to set correct? so the settle from shipping? They are light colored eggs so should be better to see. Is there anything special about hatching silkie's?
Quote:

 

[chickchickchiky]

Hi chickchickchiky,

I haven't hatched Silkies, but I have not seen any posts that they are hard to hatch.

Yes, you need to move the incubator to a place that is quiet and away from Windows. Here are some tips for shipped eggs:

Damaged Air Cells in shipped Eggs:
my vet gave me a plan sheet quite a few years ago. It says for shipped eggs after the initial 24 hr rest period she had me place them in the forced air incubator in the turner but do not turn the turner on for the 1st 5 - 7 days depending on the damage..i have seen some pretty bad bubbly air cells heal as they grow and become surrounded by the veining. That gives embryo time to get a good start, after that a candling and turner goes on. You will be surprised that those will hatch, hatch them in upright position in case air cell tends to travel a lot at lockdown time. we hatched a bunch of del eggs for a friend that were shipped.
Get tubing to fill water at lockdown. Use glass food storage and clean sponge pads.
At lockdown, cut down new paper egg cartons to set eggs into. Cut out bottom of each cell for air flow. Remove from egg turner and place pointy end down. Get a foam shell mat to cover wires.

Good luck with the Silkie hatch

Ron

Ok when i get home i will candle the eggs and see where and how the air cell is. I am going to let them sit for a couple of days in the turner without turning them while i get the incubator set up in my room and not the bathroom. What humidity should i keep it at for days 1-18? Since i will not have them in the damp bathroom i think i will have to keep the humidity regulated this time for sure but hard to say. I think 30-40% would be ideal inside and then up it to 60% upon lock down. I will not float the eggs at all. I will use a carton to hatch them and keep them in the upright position for sure. I have to install the fan and told my hubby to get it done asap so that should be set up before i get them in the bator.

 

[ronott1]

Great plan so far. With the fan you want the incubator temperature at 99.5. Make sure you have a calibrated thermometer or three. Also, remove all plugs for ventilation. Try the humidity at 25 to 30% for the first 18 days and 60 to 65% for lockdown.

For shipped eggs, keeping the egg upright seems to help.

The three things that need to be watched for hatching eggs are:

Temperature
Humidity
Ventilation

Also, the embryos are very fragile for the first 8 to 10 days of incubation. Be very careful with them--Don't touch them for the resting period and then be very gentle with them if you candle before turning on the egg turner.

If you want help through the hatch, check out the Incubators Anonymous thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/569950/incubators-anonymous/2100

There are some very serious hatch a holics there and are very willing to help.

Ron

Quote:

 

[chickchickchiky]

Thanks Ron! I appreciate your help I got my eggs and checked them i think one of the air cells is detached but all others look fine i got 2 1/2 dozen so fingers and toes crossed all goes well.

 

[ronott1]

That is great news.

I would start the turner after 2 days.

hoping for a great second hatch for you!

Ron

Thanks Ron! I appreciate your help I got my eggs and checked them i think one of the air cells is detached but all others look fine i got 2 1/2 dozen so fingers and toes crossed all goes well.