Hatching Period Conflict with Lockdown Date

[RosieR]

Can you put this in a way I will understand? (what OP is taking for)

I’m also very lost Kiki
Whatever species takes such a big range seems very difficult to hatch hands off. And likely not for beginners anyways. I’m thinking hands on would be the only reliable way to have success.

 

[lazy gardener]

There is no logical reason to take a hands off approach with any hatching. A successful hatch, IMO requires monitoring of both egg and incubator, on at least a daily basis, if not many times/day.

 

[Kiki]

I took the question as a thought experiment. If they actually want a successful hatch in real life, there is plenty of advice including diagrams on how to candle, check air sacks etc.

So the question is, if you have some eggs that you think will hatch between 23-28 days, when do you go on lockdown? Do you go by the earliest the eggs could hatch? The latest, etc? Pretend you couldn't physically check for pips, air sacks etc.
Op said it was for a project, so I pretended I was hatching these eggs remotely, using an AI, trying to hatch the first flock on Mars.

Thank you mother of Saab.

 

[Kiki]

There is no logical reason to take a hands off approach with any hatching. A successful hatch, IMO requires monitoring of both egg and incubator, on at least a daily basis, if not many times/day.

I agree.

 

[mill-j]

It's really a pointless question, and as others have mentioned, the best way to do it is just set a small batch and monitor the hatch outcome, humidity, and temperature. Then tweak to your preference.

For me, I have my incubator set so that chicken eggs hatch out a day early so the stragglers are all hatched by the actual hatch date(tight scheduling). However Turkey's in that same temp start hatching two days early(not a problem for me either).

Edit; For the most part, that range is controlled by your environment.

 

[web18designer]

I took the question as a thought experiment. If they actually want a successful hatch in real life, there is plenty of advice including diagrams on how to candle, check air sacks etc.

So the question is, if you have some eggs that you think will hatch between 23-28 days, when do you go on lockdown? Do you go by the earliest the eggs could hatch? The latest, etc? Pretend you couldn't physically check for pips, air sacks etc.
Op said it was for a project, so I pretended I was hatching these eggs remotely, using an AI, trying to hatch the first flock on Mars.

Yes you put in much simpler words. The criteria is what it is, meaning that the eggs cannot be really touched or inspected.

For anyone saying that the eggs should be inspected etc, i'm sorry but that's NOT possible and it wouldn't help saying to do that (even trough obviously that would be the ideal scenario - but again that's not possible to do)

I understand that some people may feel frustrated and again say that what I'm saying is garbage and of no use etc. I totally understand, its a difficult question. with no clear answer and its easier to say that its a stupid question if one doesn't know how to go about it.

The most logical answer is probably a conditional one - if it was easy i wouldn't have asked it in the first place....

Thanks for all the input, i really appreciate it and so far everyone contributed a lot. For my project knowing the opinion of people is very important

 

[Kiki]

Take the highest number...longest amount of day listed on your chart....
Subtract 3.
Start lockdown then.

 

[web18designer]

Of the three choices I would choose the largest lockdown date (24). While it's not ideal, chicks can still hatch while the turner is on and it gives them that much longer to continue to be turned if their hatch date happens to be in the later half of the expected hatch date.

Something more then hatch dates would also be what the temperature the eggs were at before you put them in the incubator, this can also cause the hatch date to be off. For example, if you were trying to hatch on a tropical island, I would go for the earliest lockdown date. A colder climate would have me going for the longest date.

This is a pretty interesting thought experiment.

Well done and many thanks. Apparently you are the first one to really give my question a go (as opposed to the majority of others who simply "questioned my question instead" - and I'm saying this without any disrespect to anyone, I appreciate all the answers whatever they are)

Just a comment for your answer, if the lockdown is set for the largest date, it could result in a very serious problem if the hatch is early - i'm referring to the eggs being turned while the eggs are hatching and chicks being crushed by the egg turner (or falling in case of a cabinet incubator)...

 

[web18designer]

Take the highest number...longest amount of day listed on your chart....
Subtract 3.
Start lockdown then.

Thanks, that's what I'm after. Care to share more info (if you have any) regarding the reasoning behind your answer?

thank you

 

[ronott1]

This is from the easter hatch a long:

The one that would give you the most problems would be pheasant. Goose is somewhat of an issue too.

I suspect the issue is with different types of pheasants and Geese not all of them in general. If you look into say a golden pheasant for incubation time, you should find a more specific incubation time.

It is an interesting question and I have a couple of thoughts on it

First, turning at the end of incubation is not that big of a deal. The benefit of turning is long gone by then especially for long incubating species. There is a danger of hatchlings getting caught in the turners though so you could safely stop turning at the early day of the range.

Second, upping humidity is not super critical until they internally pip. You can tell if they have internally pipped by candling or by listening for chirps. Definately up the humidity if you see a pip!

Everyone should candle and monitor incubation! That is how we learn.

Specific incubating strategy by species and type can be found on the threads that match. I do know someone that hatches a lot of pheasant that can likely help with this! Lets see if he shows up @007Sean