Hands on hatching and help

[saraem]

Question I'm in Lovely Florida Hurrican Matthew is on his way.i have 4 eggs due to start hatching tomorrow. What can I do for them if I loose power?

So stressful! Good luck and I hope you aren't hit too hard.

Anything is possible, but the probability is low in successfully aiding a chick that doesn't at least make it to internal pip. Remind me again, what kind of eggs these were? Ameraucana? Do you know how to monitor air cells during incubation? You had the humidity up for pip, that's the important thing.
Was there still yolk out or the stomach was just distended? It's not unusual to have distended bellies if the chick just finished absorbing the yolk prior to hatch.

Yes, Ameraucana eggs from a local breeder whose name I got from the Ameraucana Alliance page. Air cells looked great every time we candled (7, 10, 14, 18). We locked down early Day 18 and draw down had not yet happened. I positioned the eggs with the lowest dip in air cell facing up and set them touching each other in the incubator as I read they communicate with each other while hatching and hearing the other chicks' peeping can be encouraging. When I candled on Day 22, I saw that draw down didn't necessarily happen on the side where the lowest dip had been, meaning that in some cases I had the wrong side up and they were unable to roll since they were touching each other. Problematic?

You can see air cell growth here. This was early Day 18 and they were WAY bigger by Day 21:


The chick looked exactly like the chick in the photo...is that fully absorbed? Newly absorbed? The chicks that hatched didn't look that distended/yellowish in the abdomen.

Also do you have a separate hygrometer and thermometer that are calibrated to check against the mini to make sure the temps and humidity are accurate?

I checked the mini temp against 2 thermometers and it was within .2 degrees, so that was accurate. There is no built in hygrometer on the incubator so I only had one reading for that...I assumed that since filling one side of the reservoir was supposed to put me at 45% and my reading at that stage was 45%, it was decently close. But I suppose it's possible my hygrometer was off. It was a digital reptile hygrometer/thermometer combo.

 

[jenniferlamar70]

So I have to tell you guys a crazy story that happened this evening! I live on the end of a dirt road. The dirt road connects to a main road that gets a good amount of traffic in the evenings. Then there's a suburban development across the main road with lots of streets and houses. I went on a walk with my almost 2 year old to let him get some energy out, no stroller just holding his hand. When we got across the main road I saw a flock of ducks fly over our heads. I was really, really hoping they were mallards but then I saw my favorite little white/tan one. It was our call ducks! They were following us! I didn't see them land because there is a little hill and then just a row of houses. I picked up the baby and start calling the ducks. I followed their quacks. They landed in 2 seperate back yards, 2 on one side of a chain link fence and 2 on the other. Both yards fully fenced in. One house I know has a big dog. I was so worried they would get attacked or hit by a car. I just acted. I trespassed and opened the fence, went into one backyard and picked up 2 ducks in one arm, carried the 2 year old in the other arm. I walked all the way back home locked the 2 up and had to go all the way back and do the same with the other 2 (1 duck stayed home) and my older kids are at their dads so I had to take the baby with me. Thank god no one saw me, or let their dog out and thankfully none of us got hit by a car. I can't believe they did this!! They will sometimes start to follow us down the road but I chase them back. This time I thought we had snuck away and they didn't know. It was just crazy!!

Lol that is crazy. This is why I made sure to stuck with ducks that can't fly lol. My biggest fear was id grow attached and they would fly away and never come back...

 

[AmyLynn2374]

So I have to tell you guys a crazy story that happened this evening! I live on the end of a dirt road. The dirt road connects to a main road that gets a good amount of traffic in the evenings. Then there's a suburban development across the main road with lots of streets and houses. I went on a walk with my almost 2 year old to let him get some energy out, no stroller just holding his hand. When we got across the main road I saw a flock of ducks fly over our heads. I was really, really hoping they were mallards but then I saw my favorite little white/tan one. It was our call ducks! They were following us! I didn't see them land because there is a little hill and then just a row of houses. I picked up the baby and start calling the ducks. I followed their quacks. They landed in 2 seperate back yards, 2 on one side of a chain link fence and 2 on the other. Both yards fully fenced in. One house I know has a big dog. I was so worried they would get attacked or hit by a car. I just acted. I trespassed and opened the fence, went into one backyard and picked up 2 ducks in one arm, carried the 2 year old in the other arm. I walked all the way back home locked the 2 up and had to go all the way back and do the same with the other 2 (1 duck stayed home) and my older kids are at their dads so I had to take the baby with me. Thank god no one saw me, or let their dog out and thankfully none of us got hit by a car. I can't believe they did this!! They will sometimes start to follow us down the road but I chase them back. This time I thought we had snuck away and they didn't know. It was just crazy!!

I'm glad you got them all back. I know it was probably stressful at the time, but the video in my head of at his is rather funny. lol

So stressful! Good luck and I hope you aren't hit too hard. Yes, Ameraucana eggs from a local breeder whose name I got from the Ameraucana Alliance page. Air cells looked great every time we candled (7, 10, 14, 18). We locked down early Day 18 and draw down had not yet happened. I positioned the eggs with the lowest dip in air cell facing up and set them touching each other in the incubator as I read they communicate with each other while hatching and hearing the other chicks' peeping can be encouraging. When I candled on Day 22, I saw that draw down didn't necessarily happen on the side where the lowest dip had been, meaning that in some cases I had the wrong side up and they were unable to roll since they were touching each other. Problematic? You can see air cell growth here. This was early Day 18 and they were WAY bigger by Day 21: The chick looked exactly like the chick in the photo...is that fully absorbed? Newly absorbed? The chicks that hatched didn't look that distended/yellowish in the abdomen. I checked the mini temp against 2 thermometers and it was within .2 degrees, so that was accurate. There is no built in hygrometer on the incubator so I only had one reading for that...I assumed that since filling one side of the reservoir was supposed to put me at 45% and my reading at that stage was 45%, it was decently close. But I suppose it's possible my hygrometer was off. It was a digital reptile hygrometer/thermometer combo.

Position of egg, in theory isn't supposed to matter as long as they are not upside down. (My personal belief is it can matter after they pip, but that's just me.) Sounds and looks like you did everything great. I don't think you could have done anything different to change the outcome. I don't see any unabsorbed yolk in that pic, just distended belly, which can be normal at the time of finishing yolk absorption. Your hatchlings probably finished absorbing their yolk well in advance of hatching so their tummies weren't as large. According to chick development sources, Cobb's chart as well as others, yolk absorption, on average of an on time chick, starts day 19 and finishes by day 20, so many chicks are already using their yolk supply 24 hours prior to hatching.. The only other thing I'd question, not seeing the actual chicks, would be Omphellitius, and that may or may not be spelled right. You could look that up. The princess has an article on byc about it.

 

[WVduckchick]

So I have to tell you guys a crazy story that happened this evening! I live on the end of a dirt road. The dirt road connects to a main road that gets a good amount of traffic in the evenings. Then there's a suburban development across the main road with lots of streets and houses. I went on a walk with my almost 2 year old to let him get some energy out, no stroller just holding his hand. When we got across the main road I saw a flock of ducks fly over our heads. I was really, really hoping they were mallards but then I saw my favorite little white/tan one. It was our call ducks! They were following us! I didn't see them land because there is a little hill and then just a row of houses. I picked up the baby and start calling the ducks. I followed their quacks. They landed in 2 seperate back yards, 2 on one side of a chain link fence and 2 on the other. Both yards fully fenced in. One house I know has a big dog. I was so worried they would get attacked or hit by a car. I just acted. I trespassed and opened the fence, went into one backyard and picked up 2 ducks in one arm, carried the 2 year old in the other arm. I walked all the way back home locked the 2 up and had to go all the way back and do the same with the other 2 (1 duck stayed home) and my older kids are at their dads so I had to take the baby with me. Thank god no one saw me, or let their dog out and thankfully none of us got hit by a car. I can't believe they did this!! They will sometimes start to follow us down the road but I chase them back. This time I thought we had snuck away and they didn't know. It was just crazy!!

OMG you have the craziest luck! So glad you rounded them all up. And I would not have hesitated to trespass either. Surely the owner would have understood. Thank goodness their dog didn't attack you or the ducklings.

Bout time for some new duckling pics, isn't it? (hint, hint)

So stressful! Good luck and I hope you aren't hit too hard.


Yes, Ameraucana eggs from a local breeder whose name I got from the Ameraucana Alliance page. Air cells looked great every time we candled (7, 10, 14, 18). We locked down early Day 18 and draw down had not yet happened. I positioned the eggs with the lowest dip in air cell facing up and set them touching each other in the incubator as I read they communicate with each other while hatching and hearing the other chicks' peeping can be encouraging. When I candled on Day 22, I saw that draw down didn't necessarily happen on the side where the lowest dip had been, meaning that in some cases I had the wrong side up and they were unable to roll since they were touching each other. Problematic?

You can see air cell growth here. This was early Day 18 and they were WAY bigger by Day 21:


The chick looked exactly like the chick in the photo...is that fully absorbed? Newly absorbed? The chicks that hatched didn't look that distended/yellowish in the abdomen.


I checked the mini temp against 2 thermometers and it was within .2 degrees, so that was accurate. There is no built in hygrometer on the incubator so I only had one reading for that...I assumed that since filling one side of the reservoir was supposed to put me at 45% and my reading at that stage was 45%, it was decently close. But I suppose it's possible my hygrometer was off. It was a digital reptile hygrometer/thermometer combo.

I was pretty much going to say what Amy said (surprise, surprise lol!). Looks like all things pointed to a successful incubation! My only wavering thought is maybe the humidity was a bit too high, although your air cell tracings look pretty good, so its really hard to guess. Sorry the outcome wasn't favorable, but we learn from our mistakes and try to do better next time.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

OMG you have the craziest luck!  So glad you rounded them all up.  And I would not have hesitated to trespass either.  Surely the owner would have understood.  Thank goodness their dog didn't attack you or the ducklings. 

Bout time for some new duckling pics, isn't it?  (hint, hint)



I was pretty much going to say what Amy said (surprise, surprise lol!).  Looks like all things pointed to a successful incubation!  My only wavering thought is maybe the humidity was a bit too high, although your air cell tracings look pretty good, so its really hard to guess.  Sorry the outcome wasn't favorable, but we learn from our mistakes and try to do better next time. 

Lol

Hey has anyone seen the chicken people movie yet? It's on demand and Cade wants to see it so I was thinking about renting it tonight...

 

[Blooie]

Only you, @RubyNala97 ! If they are "call ducks", couldn't you just call them?

 

[jenniferlamar70]

Lol

Hey has anyone seen the chicken people movie yet? It's on demand and Cade wants to see it so I was thinking about renting it tonight...

Haven't seen it yet but I want too. I wonder if you can rent it?

 

[jenniferlamar70]

I just checked and they have it on amazon.com to rent. Can't watch it this weekend but I know what I'll be renting first thing Monday morning lol

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Only you, @RubyNala97
!  If they are "call ducks", couldn't you just call them?  

Lol . I've been meaning to tell you, your namesake is a ninja chicken! He and a paint roo were challenging each other, they did the chest bump/ jump and kick at each other, then the paint tried kicking at him again and he ducked right under him and came up in back of him. I laughed, it was cool..lol

I just checked and they have it on amazon.com to rent. Can't watch it this weekend but I know what I'll be renting first thing Monday morning lol

Lol We spotted it on demand. So I think we may just rent it tonight. I should make sure red box doesn't have it... I have a free video coming..lol

 

[saraem]

Hey, thanks again for all the feedback. It's actually comforting to know that there wasn't some glaring mistake I made.

We're discussing whether we should do it again right away, or wait a bit and see if we get a sense whether the 2 we have are pullets or roos.

I'm also going to check back in with the breeder and see if she has any light to shed...I know she incubates with a Brinsea 20.