First timer questions

[cestial225]

I have 5 silkie and 5 cochin bantam eggs in the a LG incubator. just the incubator, no extras. the thermometer that came with it does not agree with the thermometer I bought at all so I have no idea what the actual temp I have been keeping it at the last two weeks. So the eggs have been incubating between 99-102 and are on day 16 now. I candled last night and all but one have wriggly chicks in there. So now my worry is that if they hatch they will hatch and die cause of the weird temps in the incubator. Is it more likely that they wont hatch at all or might I hatch sickly chickens that die the first day. I would rather them not hatch at all then my kids see them die outside the egg. I am also worried that if the temps have been on the high side they might hatch early. Should I lock them down now instead of on day 18 just in case?

TIA

 

[sumi]

You can compare the embryos' development to these:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...g-candling-pics-progression-though-incubation

Are you incubating them in a still air or a forced air incubator? (Forced air = with a fan circulating the air inside the incubator) If your model is a still air the recommended temperature would be 101-102*F measured on top of the eggs. If it's a forced air the temperature should be 99*F. So if you are using a forced air incubator your chicks may hatch a bit earlier than expected. It's unlikely to kill them though, so don't worry!

Unless they look like they are a day or 2 ahead of where they should be I'd suggest lock down on day 18. If they do hatch earlier than day 21 it's o.k. I've had chicks hatching when I locked down on day 18! Didn't do them any harm, as long as the humidity is high enough during the hatch, so they don't dry out and get stuck in the shells while they are busy.

Best of luck with your hatch and keep us posted!

 

[cestial225]

They look pretty much like they should according to those pictures. They are in a still air so I guess the high temps are good. Thanks!

 

[sumi]

Keep us posted!