Halloween ~ Hatch Day!

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
You only count the first day as '0' when you set the eggs in the evening. If they are set in the morning, then that is day '1'!

<edit for typo>

ok, then, they are due on Halloween. I set them about 10 - 11am. Is that the time they may start hatching? Can you candle them close to that date?

It doesn't hurt them to candle them even at day 21, as long as they haven't pipped yet. This winter weather is so dry, that the membrane just sucks right in like a vacuum. You aren't supposed to candle them after you stop turning them, so they have plenty of humidity. As far as what time they will hatch, I think that is basically how it works, but I never remember if I set mine in the morning or evening, plus mine always hatch early, so I really don't know. But I think that's how it is supposed to work.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
I 'm not really sure it would, but the ones I brought inside look a few days behind, and I'm not sure if it would hurt them to stop turning them too early. I don't think so, but I'm just not sure. Hand turning would only be twice a day, so they wouldn't get too mixed up.

 

[KellyHM]

You should hand turn at least 3 times a day (odd number) so that they aren't always on the same side at night.

 

[shelleyd2008]

When I do hand turn, it is usually twice a day, like 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., but I have an auto egg turner. I know they should be turned more, but these will be really close to hatching, and I don't want to mix them up too much. Like I said, they should be 11 days, and look more like 7.

KellyHM--Do you think I could just not turn them the last few days? Or would it be better to keep turning them? (remember they seem to be 3-4 days behind schedule)

 

[KellyHM]

If they're a little behind schedule I would probably stop turning 2 days before they're due. I think it's better to stop turning a little early than to keep turning too long and have the chick not know which way to go!

 

[CK Chickadilly]

I think I have one quitter.....

I had a feeling to candle a few tonight & that was one of my Silkie eggs that I suspected of having a possible blood ring. The other night when I candled it, it was moving around, now tonight I don't think it is, not like the others....

Rats! I will check again tomorrow.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Yeah that's what I thought. I have had quite a few that have pipped in the auto turner, though, and they didn't seem too confused!! Guess I got lucky. My chickens just hatch early. I have added a fan, gotten new thermometers and everything, and they still mostly hatch day 19. That's good though, I don't have to wait so long!!

 

[walkswithdog]

Well, just shoot me, mine are staggered over three days (one package of eggs was late) with two turkey eggs still in there. One of the turkey eggs definitely doing better than the other. But it doesn't stink, it stays. I've switched from hand turning to carton and actually just tilting the box.

Since that isn't a full rotation I'm hoping that works for the ones running later. The bator temps, wiggler, have been 98.6 - 100.1 Usually just 99 something, the whole time.

I've been figuring that would slow up most of the chickens and push them toward the turkey date. But I suppose it slows the turkeys too... Fine. LOL I'm going to be chewing my nails for more than a week.

Wish me luck...

 

[thegoogers]

So what are you going to do with your humidity? Do you have a separate hatcher? I ask because I am trying to figure out the same thing! I have more eggs coming Monday...

 

[thegoogers]

Quote:
Awww that stinks! You have done very well though in my opinion

I can't wait to see all of these chick pics!!!