Huge Egg Dilemma. An all or nothing sorta issue...

[MissPrissy]

Orange Co. - north of you. Without a thermostat to regulate that light bulb the heat will just rise all night long. You MUST have something to regulate that lightbulb off and on to maintain the temps. Without a fan you need to keep the temp at the top of the egg between 101 - 102. Too low and the chick dies. Too high and the chick dies.

Don't listen to the walmart guy. You can use a dimmer and wire it into the line to burn the bulb at the perfect brightness to put out the perfect temps.

 

[Grillmaster33]

Ha.

Thanks. I went right to Wal-Mart to buy a dimmer. I've hooked it up and I THINK it is set safely.

I dont know much, but I know that this chick had better be the most docile bird known to man, 'cause I've gone out on a limb for this one!!!

 

[MissPrissy]

Make sure you punched a few air holes in your styrofoam box on both sides about 2 inches up from the bottom. It is very important to have fresh air exchange. The eggs need to 'breathe'. tomorrow is fine to punch the air holes.

Good luck!

 

[Grillmaster33]

Hello. I hope you all were able to see my homegrown incubator. It seems to be holding even steadier than the LG that I paid for.

I know I am not supposed to do so, but I candled the egg. It's Day 19. He is still doing well. The air cell is looking big. The only dilemma is that there seems to be a tiny bit of water build up at the bottom of the air cell. I could tell by the shadow.
Is there supposed to be any water in the air cell? Is this how chicks drown? Will he drown? Can I prevent this? Is my humidity up too high? Gaahh!!!

 

[MissPrissy]

It is more likely part of the egg white you are seeing when you tilt the egg and it presses against the air cell. Hold the temps and humidity tight at 101 degrees and 70%. Give that baby a good fighting chance to hatch.

Sit tight. Good luck!

 

[Grillmaster33]

The temp is at 101. The humidity is fluxing mid-70s. Is this too high? At one point last night it got as high as 80.

The dimmer has been excellent though.

I think it is confirmed that this school project has grown into my new summer-long hobby. This stuff is great.

I HOPE THE LONE RANGER MAKES IT!!!! When will he crack into the air cell?

Thanks for everything Miss Prissy.

 

[MissPrissy]

Hopefully that baby will pip sometime between now and day 21 and come out and greet you. If not, sit tight! Any low temps can cause a late hatch and eggs can go until Day 25 and still hatch with healthy chicks.

You think this is nerve racking? I just hatched 2 small batches of geese. Hardest ones to hatch and take 28 - 35 days! Talk about crazy at the end?!! It gets to be hair pulling time!

I have buff orpingtons, blue orpingtons and appleyard ducks going now in my own bators and a clutch of guinea eggs that will come hopefully Wednesday.

Spring time is hatching time. You can only get duck, geese, turkey, and guinea eggs right now in the spring. They don't lay all year like chickens. Try some of these in that homemade bator when this baby hatches.

Your humidity is fine. It will rise and flux a bit with the hatch. If it gets too high open a vent and let some of it out.

 

[Chamelle]

-Just wanted to let you know I'm pulling for your lone ranger clear out here in Oregon.

 

[Grillmaster33]

Thanks.

Day 20, Hour 10.
And I am on my way to the school TWO hours early!

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Not to many times one goes to school/work two hours early!

Good luck!