i ACCIDENTALLY UNPLUGGED THE INCUBATOR FOR ABOUT 23 HOURS...

[chickenchickenbulkbulk]

HAVE I KILLED THE CHICKS? dj WE HAVE HAD THREE DEATHS IN OUR FAMILY IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS. MY MIND IS FRIZZLED! i UNPLUGGED IT TO CANDLE MY EGGS AND I SIMPLY FORGOT TO PLUG IT BACK IN. ARE THEY DEAD? THE TEMP WAS 73 WHEN I CHECKED IT.

 

[smith2]

You never can tell. They may not be dead. They just may slow down their development. I hope you plugged back in and you'll just have to wait and see. If no one opened the lid, they might just be OK. What day were they one?

 

[chickenchickenbulkbulk]

No one oped the lid. The temp is back up this morning 11-11-08. They were on day 12. I will leave them alone to see if they hatch. They are due to hatch on the 17th. Should I candle them in a few days or leave them alone. DJ

 

[Fudgie]

I would just leave them alone and let it get up to a good temp. It is WAY better to go lower temp than higher temp. Hens leave their nests for hours at a time and the chicks do fine. not 23 hours but I think they will be ok, I would candle in about 5 days to see. Let them get back to a normal temp first. good luck

 

[BeardedChick]

No advice, just

 

[Harley's girl]

Well, first sorry for all the loss in your family. :aww Second, just give it a try. My electric was down for hours (they were replacing lines all day!!!) And I did not loose any. I covered my bator with a blanket and it kept the temps pretty good. Stranger things have happened and the chicks make it fine. They probably will not hatch on the due date. I would say at least a day late. Good luck.

 

[chickenchickenbulkbulk]

UPDATE: i HATCHED OUT 28 CHICKS AND i HAVE LOST 3.

 

[Msbear]

I bet they're fine. I had a hen leave the nest and the temps went down to the fifties overnight. I warmed it up and threw it in the bater and it hatched. I think the rule of thumb is low temps will slow progress and high temps will cook...good luck

just saw the update....see!

 

[FarmGirl01]

Conjrats on the chicks.

 

[dbcooper02]

That's great, and after 23 hours too! Hopefully this will encourage others through their power failures & etc.
Good show, db