Guinea on nest of eggs most not hatching

[vickers6504]

Guinea is on the nest and stays on the nest almost all the time. 3 of the eggs hatched between 2-3 days ago and are doing fine. In the nest 1 pipped and started getting out and another just pipped a bit. Those 2 died. I think the membrane got to dry. I have candled some that are remaining and can see movement. How can I make sure they are not too dry for the rest to hatch?

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Guinea is on the nest and stays on the nest almost all the time. 3 of the eggs hatched between 2-3 days ago and are doing fine. In the nest 1 pipped and started getting out and another just pipped a bit. Those 2 died. I think the membrane got to dry. I have candled some that are remaining and can see movement. How can I make sure they are not too dry for the rest to hatch?

Staggered hatches are a big problem with hen incubated nests. That’s why I incubate my own batch of freshly collected eggs and replace the hens eggs with those at about 2-3 weeks, plus take away all new eggs every day. At any rate, for your current hatch, have you candles the remaining eggs? Can you put the viable eggs in an incubator?

 

[vickers6504]

Staggered hatches are a big problem with hen incubated nests. That’s why I incubate my own batch of freshly collected eggs and replace the hens eggs with those at about 2-3 weeks, plus take away all new eggs every day. At any rate, for your current hatch, have you candles the remaining eggs? Can you put the viable eggs in an incubator?

I can. I have never done that before though. Any suggestions?

 

[Sydney65]

I can. I have never done that before though. Any suggestions?

Fire up the incubator and get ready. You're in for some fun!

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

I can. I have never done that before though. Any suggestions?

Agree with Sydney to get the incubator going ASAP if the hen is off the nest. Then candle for viability.

 

[Sydney65]

Here's a short article on candling - https://www.qcsupply.com/blog/produ...ow-to-candle-egg-and-why-it-is-important.html

And pics - https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...sion-through-incubation-of-chicken-eggs.47879

If you are asking which incubator to get, that's a personal thing. I have a Brinsea mini, I can do 7 eggs at a time. It's a good project unit, but if you want to do more eggs at once, go bigger. I think Mixed has the Hovabator, which sounds great for holding heat & accomodates more eggs- and I *think* is less $$. I've seen good reviews on the TSC unit, & others are industrious enough to build their own. I ended up ordering the turning tray for mine, it's better than me handling them so much, I think.
Other things needed, an independent thermometer & hygrometer (monitors humidity).
I followed the crowd and never added water to mine- it stayed at 30% humidity regardless.
The thermometer needs to be accurate - another how to: https://www.cde.state.co.us/nutriti...r#:~:text=Put the thermometer stem or,F (0˚C).