HELP - incubator bulb went out, day 18. Any hope?

[mfabel]

Hi, I am trying to incubate 12 eggs in a small home-make incubator. I built the incuabator from a styrofoam cooler, 40W bulb, thermostat , and an old computer fan. A few days ago candling looked good. We are now on day 18, and everything was fine when we left for church at 9:00. When I got home at 11:20, the light fixture had fallen out of the styrofoam cooler and was sitting on the counter. The temperature inside the incubator was 74 degrees, end the eggs felt cool to the touch. I quickly put the fixture back in place, held for now with duct tape while I figure out what to do.

Do you think there is a chance for the chicks to survive? It's now 11:45, and the incubtor is back up to 92 degrees. How long can the eggs survive a drop in temperature?

 

[eggchel]

I think that there is a good chance that your eggs will be fine. In nature, the hen does get off the eggs on occasion and the temps drop. A high spike in temp is more likely to kill the embryo than a drop in temp.

Good luck,

chel

 

[mandolinmama]

I'm thinking they'll be okay. Our neighbors just had a hen sitting on 17 eggs and when they got home found that something had gotten her. The eggs were cold but they put another broody hen on there in hopes that they might still be okay.
Yesterday the little boogers started hatching, so I think the chances are good for your bunch too.
Good luck!! Let us all know how your hatch comes out!!

 

[BeckyLa]

They should be fine they just may take a little longer to hatch. I'd give them an extra day or two.

 

[mfabel]

Well, two of the eggs have small holes pecked in them, and I can hear peeping. I am surprised, because this is only day 19. I guess they survived the cold. Now they just need to hatch!

 

[AccidentalFarm]

Good Luck! Keep us posted, and of course, we want baby pics!