First Hatch due to start tomorrow.

[scawthon74]

We are extremely new to raising chickens and have never had a hatch. We have a hatch that is supposed to start tomorrow. For the most part, the temp has stayed good the entire time. The humidity has been the challenge. We have mostly been able to keep the humidity around 50%, but yesterday it dropped to 40%. I read through some of the posts here and was able to get the humidity up around 70% last night.

My question is: because of the difficulty with humidity, will I have issues with the hatch? Is 70% too high? What should I expect and look for over the 24 hours or so?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Spartan22]

65 to 75% humidity is ideal for lockdown (within 3 days of hatching time) if there were no major issues with temps and humidity before, you should be seeing pipping soon. Good luck with the first time hatching, it’s always exciting.

 

[scawthon74]

Looks like I may have screwed up. I forgot to take the eggs out of the turner on day 18. I turned it off though. My wife said it was supposed to come out, so she took it out today. I'm afraid we aren't going to have a hatch.

 

[Spartan22]

You might get lucky, the reason we don’t move eggs on lockdown, the chicks normally are getting ready to position to hatch. Hopefully some will make it.

 

[scawthon74]

As of 8 am today, we still have no movement of any kind. It's now 12 hours past the 21 day mark. Still keeping figures crossed. Does it matter if the eggs are on end or laying on their side?

 

[scawthon74]

Just candled a few of the eggs. They dont appear to be fully developed and the air pocket is at the top where they had been sitting in the turner. Turned the turner off on Monday and my wife decided to take the turner out yesterday. I'm doubting that we will have any hatch at this point. Should I put the turner back in to sit them back as they were or just leave them alone and see what happens? I see no movement at all.

 

[auroaSfarm]

Just candled a few of the eggs. They dont appear to be fully developed and the air pocket is at the top where they had been sitting in the turner. Turned the turner off on Monday and my wife decided to take the turner out yesterday. I'm doubting that we will have any hatch at this point. Should I put the turner back in to sit them back as they were or just leave them alone and see what happens? I see no movement at all.

You could always do the float test to see if the babies are still alive if the egg BobBobs in warm water (NOT HOT) they're alive if not I'm sorry for your loss, make your move after that. I hope they all survive!!

 

[scawthon74]

You could always do the float test to see if the babies are still alive if the egg BobBobs in warm water (NOT HOT) they're alive if not I'm sorry for your loss, make your move after that. I hope they all survive!!

Should I float them all and will it hurt to have the bator open long enough to do this? There are 14 eggs.

 

[auroaSfarm]

Should I float them all and will it hurt to have the bator open long enough to do this? There are 14 eggs.[/QUO

Should I float them all and will it hurt to have the bator open long enough to do this? There are 14 eggs.

If you think about it hens get off their eggs to drink and eat and dust bathe for up to 30 minutes, so yes it'll be safe. Take your time and be careful. Do one at a time.

 

[oregonkat]

Just candled a few of the eggs. They dont appear to be fully developed and the air pocket is at the top where they had been sitting in the turner. Turned the turner off on Monday and my wife decided to take the turner out yesterday. I'm doubting that we will have any hatch at this point. Should I put the turner back in to sit them back as they were or just leave them alone and see what happens? I see no movement at all.

First off, are you sure of your day count. Did you start your count the day you put your eggs in the incubator or 24 hours later? Day one usually starts 24 hours after putting in your eggs.
The air cell is supposed to be at the fat end of the egg. It doesn't matter much that you left the eggs in the turner. Folks actually hatch the eggs in the turner sometimes. You have taken the turner out so you should be OK.
Are the eggs looking mostly dark when you candle them?
What was your temp throughout incubation? What kind of incubator are you using? Still or forced air? The temp for forced air for incubation is 99.5degs and for still air 102degs. If you ran your bator on the cool side, the hatch will happen later. If the chicks are moving in the eggs, put them back in the bator and wait. Wait till you have your first external pip to raise the humidity.

I don't like to do the water test until absolutely necessary, usually 2-3 days past hatch date.