Febuary hatch a long

[Joshua G]

So lockdown is Monday for 8 of my chicken eggs, am I supposed to increase the humidity then? Because there are other eggs in the same incubator that don't go into lockdown until Friday.

 

[AmericanMom]

So lockdown is Monday for 8 of my chicken eggs, am I supposed to increase the humidity then? Because there are other eggs in the same incubator that don't go into lockdown until Friday.

Although I am no expert (hopefully someone will chime in) what you have done is considered a staggered hatch and usually folks only do that when they have access to a second incubator (one for incubating, one for hatching) The only thing I can think of to do is to not go into lockdown until you have an internal pip, once that happens get your humidity up... You may lose those that are 5 days behind as they are not ready for the higher humidity.

 

[Pyxis]

So I decided to do eggtopsies on the three late quitters to see what went wrong so I could improve next time. All three were in the feet over head malposition. Not sure if that was caused by the eggs have a rough shipping trip or what. Additionally, two of the three were a bit 'liquidy' inside, indicating to me that I had the humidity too high, even though it was in the range recommended by the incubator manual. Well, I know to go lower next time. It was so sad seeing those perfect little chicks in there prevented from hatching due to a malposition, but at least I learned how to improve next time.

 

[Marthab1953]

So lockdown is Monday for 8 of my chicken eggs, am I supposed to increase the humidity then? Because there are other eggs in the same incubator that don't go into lockdown until Friday.

I have done staggered hatches in the same incubator that are 5 days difference and no ill affects on the late eggs. I do not do it often but i have done it. Now I do have a second incubator for hatching in.

 

[Marthab1953]

So I decided to do eggtopsies on the three late quitters to see what went wrong so I could improve next time. All three were in the feet over head malposition. Not sure if that was caused by the eggs have a rough shipping trip or what. Additionally, two of the three were a bit 'liquidy' inside, indicating to me that I had the humidity too high, even though it was in the range recommended by the incubator manual. Well, I know to go lower next time. It was so sad seeing those perfect little chicks in there prevented from hatching due to a malposition, but at least I learned how to improve next time.

It is hard to see them get so far then die.

 

[MEMama3]

I need you all to put my mind at ease (if it's possible). Lockdown started yesterday, hatch day is Monday. My humidity and temps have been all over the place. I was super worried so I very gently candles (I know, hands off during lockdown). I kept the eggs in the same direction as they were locked down (lowest dip of the air cell up) and I was very ginger, so hopefully I did no harm. Anyway, one's air cell was unchanged and beak seemed in the right position. They other's air cell was considerably larger and I think the beak was more towards the middle, but I can't be sure. Both were active. Do you think they're good? I would have felt better if I saw the same situation in both eggs. Having them different worries me.

PS: I promise no more touching!

 

[Marthab1953]

I need you all to put my mind at ease (if it's possible). Lockdown started yesterday, hatch day is Monday. My humidity and temps have been all over the place. I was super worried so I very gently candles (I know, hands off during lockdown). I kept the eggs in the same direction as they were locked down (lowest dip of the air cell up) and I was very ginger, so hopefully I did no harm. Anyway, one's air cell was unchanged and beak seemed in the right position. They other's air cell was considerably larger and I think the beak was more towards the middle, but I can't be sure. Both were active. Do you think they're good? I would have felt better if I saw the same situation in both eggs. Having them different worries me.

PS: I promise no more touching!

They should be fine, They do not all look the same.

 

[MEMama3]

They should be fine,  They do not all look the same.

Thank you for some peace of mind while I lay down to sleep tonight

 

[AandAranch]

It looks normal to me.  In my last hatch I had a chick that was turned the wrong way in the shell and was unable to pip.  Maybe that's what happened.  I'm sorry.

Thank you. Its so hard to see them come this far and then not make it. It was so perfectly developed too. And it was in the right position head under right wing. I have no idea what happened. Its other hatch mates did fine. The first one more than fine. Pipped, zipped, and popped out all without me noticing. The second needed help so my husband chipped away shell til it was free. It's doing fine now. I have no idea what happened. It bums me out that I don't know what went wrong.

 

[Marthab1953]

I know! I had several this batch that did not make it to pipping, one actually had pipped but I did not know it was in trouble till it was too late and then I watched it take its last breath, it is tough but we can't help them all, probably sometimes there is something wrong with them and they are too weak.