Help - First timer! Day 22 of hatch

[shellrae7]

I set a hatch the exact same day as you, in a HOV-aBator 1588 (GQF) Most of my babies hatched all during the day yesterday, and a few early this morning. I opened the remaining eggs today to find fully formed chicks that were dead.
I did some research, and from what I found, it's likely that my humidity was too high. I did have a hygrometer, it was a 70-74% the last 2 days, and I didn't know you could go TOO high.

I would recommend opening a few eggs to see what's going on. You may save a few, but likely you will find weather they were formed, or not. If you gently use a sharp knife to poke a hole in the larger rounder end, then peel back a little shell, you won't get messy, and you can see what happened. If you see yellow, and smell a strong smell, the egg was likely not fertile. It's good to troubleshoot so you can improve next time. HOpe that helps.

 

[f8thnjc]

I am learning through this wonderful website of people who have actually experienced hatches that 60ish% humidity is good for the lockdown period. Hoping your little guys start pipping soon!

 

[6Happiness]

Hey, I just thought I'd comment for encouragement...

I set eggs the same day you did, and found your post when I came here yesterday about to post the same question. I figured if they didn't hatch by early this morning, I'd do a float test and proceed from there... but, I heard them chirping and one is just starting to poke thru the shell, so I left them be. Fingers crossed that they all hatch out to be healthy! I wonder how common is it for chicks to hatch on day 23 instead of 21?

Good luck with yours!

 

[shenderson]

Thanks for the well wishes! Just checked and still nothing.

6Happiness - At what time of day did you originally set the eggs? I set them at 5:00 pm ET on the 24th so maybe I'm still a few hours behind you. (still keeping my fingers crossed)

 

[ChestnutRidge]

I think I've read that still air incubators need a little bit higher of a temp - 101.5 instead of 99.5. I've also read that incubating at a lower temperature can still be okay but that you have a later hatch. So there may still be hope.

My fingers are crossed for you. Good luck!

(Edited to add link: Here's a link to an article about incubation temperatures from MSU. http://msucares.com/poultry/reproductions/poultry_temp.html )

 

[6Happiness]

Quote:
I didn't record the exact time- but it was probably later afternoon or early evening and we are CST

 

[shenderson]

Thanks, ChestnutRidge. That is great information. I do think that while we maintained a consistent temperature that it may have been slightly on the low side 99.5 (or slightly below, but always above 99). I've bumped up the temp slightly and am sticking with my plan to l leave the eggs as is until Monday and then do a float test before making any further decisions.

On a positive note, our little black Silkie has gone broody and is sitting on 8 little Silkie eggs. Hopefully one way or another we'll have some baby chicks before too long!

 

[ajacskr]

I hatch a lot of Cuckoo Marans and they ALWAYS seem to take a couple of extra days for some reason. The seem to always take 23 or 24 days. I have hatched other breeds in the same hatches and they hatch mostly on days 21 and 22 but their are always stragglers.

I have 5 incubators, 4 LGs and a GQF that I just bought used. On the LGs, they are all still air, I have tried humidity at several different levels and have found that as long as its not real high during the first 18 days then you should be fine.

On the temp side of hatching I threw away all the guages that came with the incubators and used a digital Temp/Humidity gauge with a 24 hour memory so I could tell if there was a heat spike.

The only down side to ant thermometer is that they need to be calibrated somehow. I borrowed an old mercury thermometer from a friend of mine to calibrate the first digital and used the salt and water test to calibrate the humidity. Now when I get a new gauge, I set the first one (calibrated) and the new one side by side for 24 hours and see how they compare.

Hope this helps for next time.

Happy Hatching to everyone.

 

[mrsp523]

Hi

From the threads I have read many byc folks say leave it until around day 25. That lower temps can make a hatch take longer. And also with Cuckoo Marans taking a few extra days that is a postive note. Keeping fingers crossed for you!

 

[shenderson]

Thanks everyone! Day 23 is over and nothing yet. Holding with the plan.....won't touch until Monday and then will do the float test.