Everything has gone wrong :(

[Ms Steak]

Day 17. My daughter turns the eggs in the morning, but she didn`t tell me she knocked over the water. When I got to check, four hours later, the temp was down to 30 c, and the humidity was up to 86. I took the eggs out to dry the bottom of the incubator, and dropped one of the eggs. There is a tiny pip shaped chip on the large end.

At this point the heat is back up, the humidity is dropping to around the mid 60s. Will they all be dead now? I am so angry I didn`t check earlier. Please help.

 

[esther5]

hi
i'm no expert but my broody hen let the eggs go cold twice at the beginning of this incubation and they are all looking good at day 16. i've heard of power failures and incubators turning off and things still being ok and hatching.
high humidity for a short time probably isn't a big deal but you are nearly at the point of raising the humidity anyway.

the small chip might not be a big deal. i might be inclined to cover it with a moist piece of kitchen roll but i expect someone with more experience will advise you.

best wishes for a successful hatch.
hugs
esther

 

[Ms Steak]

Thank you Esther. I will have a final candle later when it`s dark. I hope they are ok. I will certainly cover the chipped egg with damp kitchen roll. Cross everything for them please.

Good luck for your hatch too.

Jeanne

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Relax. Developing chicks are more resilient than that. The temperature drop and humidity rise were transient. Chances are now that you have things squared away they'll be OK. Maybe not everyone, but then you don't know if everyone of them were OK before it happened. If you were going to get a good hatch before this happened chances are you'll still do OK now. Even the one with the chip may be OK. Get things right in your box then let Nature take its course.

 

[Ms Steak]

Thank you. I am trying to calm down still. Your words have helped.

 

[Ms Steak]

I have just candled the eggs and can`t see any movement. The chipped eggs air cell is LOADS bigger, and sort of saddle shaped. I will go to lock down with no real hope of chicks.

 

[esther5]

hi
are you on day 2 of lockdown? still hoping for you.
xx esther

 

[Ms Steak]

I am Esther. Everything is holding reasonably steady. I will post with any news. Thank you for remembering.

You will soon have lovely chicks

Jeanne

hi
are you on day 2 of lockdown? still hoping for you.
xx esther