Hatching problem - need advice.sad update :( WARNING: GRAPHIC PICS!!!

[Three Cedars Silkies]

So I couldn't sleep last night and mostly stayed hunched over the bator watching the little chic. It began "agonal" respirations around 12:00 am and died around 1:30 am.

I feel horrible...just could kick myself for the error in the dates and for being so clumsy with the thermometer.

I've learned a lot...once again. Thanks so much for all your advice and compassion...it means a lot.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

 

[bangor777]

Oh, I'm so sorry! you did everything you could.

 

[Mrs MIA]

:aww I'm so sorry. Oh how I've been there... wait...

I am there, right now, with me in that familiar nose-pressed-to-incubator-lid stance. Every time I look in there I expect to see the baby absolutely still, but it's been hanging in there since 10pm last night. I totally understand, and offer my condolences.

 

[luvmychicknkids]

I am so, so sorry about the baby.

Have the other eggs shown signs of wanting to hatch yet?

 

[sara]

Quote:
I have a side door in my bator so I can work inside if necessary without losing heat or humidity. I was replacing the battery in the thermometer. Now I JUST replaced the battery with a new one prior to setting these eggs on day 18, so I don't know why it went out.

With the small side door, the most I lose is 1 degree and 2% humidity. I've timed it and they are both back up to normal within 1-2 minutes.

Sadly that's all the variation it takes to mess up a hatch. Membranes can dry out very fast.

good luck with the rest of your hatch.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Quote:
I have a side door in my bator so I can work inside if necessary without losing heat or humidity. I was replacing the battery in the thermometer. Now I JUST replaced the battery with a new one prior to setting these eggs on day 18, so I don't know why it went out.

With the small side door, the most I lose is 1 degree and 2% humidity. I've timed it and they are both back up to normal within 1-2 minutes.

Sadly that's all the variation it takes to mess up a hatch. Membranes can dry out very fast.

good luck with the rest of your hatch.

Sara, I disagree. I think that generally, it takes a LOT more than 1 degree and 2% humidity for 2 minutes to make a difference in a hatch. If that were true, then a broody hen could NEVER get off the nest...not even for 1 minute. My last hatch a week ago had some troubling things happen during the 21 days...power outage, wild swings in temp, etc. and I still had an excellent hatch. My understanding is that it is very rare to have a 100% hatch, even under the most perfect circumstances.

The issue with this hatch was my clumsiness in dropping the thermometer on the egg.

 

[sara]

The only thing I will say, is a broody doesn't get off her eggs during the hatch. During the first days yes, but not once the eggs begin to hatch.

We will just have to agree to disagree on this topic.

I am sorry you lost your chick though

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Thanks, Sara...I appreciate your candor and your condolences.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
I have to agree with Sara....my broodies whether they're ducks or chickens set very tight and don't get off those eggs the last 3 or so days.