I forgot my incubator was runnin?UPDATE:1 HATCHED.I HAVE TO CULL IT

[P0U1TRYP3RS0N]

I decided to put a few eggs in the incubator last week. So I fired up the incubator, got it all set, put the eggs in, added water to the humidity pans... And then totally forgot about it

.Between school, and work and christmas shopping, I just forgot!AAAAAAAHHHHH. I checked in a couple days later....It was out of water, And humidity according to the hydrometer was 16%. So I added humidity (50%). And then forgot. I didn;t turn them once. In a week. Last night, I remembered (again) and added more humidity and candled the eggs. All three are alive! I WAS AMAZED! SOOO...My question is....Does anyone know what their chances of actualy hatching are?Obviously, I will be keeping the humidity regulated, and turning them twice a day. But I mean, is the damage already done? They looked like they were developing normally, and weren't stuck to the shell membranes or anything. SOOOOOO....HAS ANYONE ELSE DONE THAT....PUT EGGS IN THE BATOR, TOTALLY FORGOT, AND THEN ACTUALLY HAD A CHICK OR TWO HATCH?

 

[Buster]

I've had chicks hatch after the bator ran dry several times when I was working out of town and DW forgot to fill the water. I still had chicks hatch. I also had a couple of times when using a homemade bator that we didn't turn regularly that hatched some chicks too so don't give up- there is still hope. Chicken eggs have an amazing will to survive sometimes.

 

[Bammony]

I actually didn't turn a batch of eggs on purpose once, to see what would happen. I had a 90% hatch rate. Not too bad if ya ask me.

 

[WriterofWords]

You forgot???? My heaven's I can't pry myself away once the eggs in, how do you forget??? LOL, I could only wish for a life so full I could forget the bator. I think you'll do fine!

 

[magikchick]

If they are alive and moving they should hatch.

 

[erthymom2]

it's easy to forget stuff....let us know when you are PLANNING on another batch to go into the 'bator and we'll email or PM you with reminders.....kinda like a "help line" !

 

[flamingauburnmustang]

Don't worry. All will be fine. If they are developing and moving, they'll hatch.

Keep us posted.

 

[P0U1TRYP3RS0N]

UPDATE: One of the embyros died

. The other two appear to still be alive (one for sure..the other one is a possible). But....I candled them again today and they look funny. Tonight is day 15 and they look like some areas of the egg are developed, and other areas are clear, like the blood vessels and chick don't stretch all the way around the inside of the egg. However, the one that is definetely still alive was moving around ALOT...But it looked smaller than the typical chicken embryo on day 15? ANYONE HAD ONES THAT LOOK FUNNY STILL HATCH? The humidty right now is at 44% and the temp at 99.5....But someone has been lazy about turning them...again

 

[erin0415]

I'm kinda in the same boat as you. Been distracted with Christmas, work, etc and it took me 9 days to realize that my eggs hadn't changed position. I forgot to plug the turner in and the first 9 days they weren't turning. I have also been a slacker with humidity. I have been taking dry incubation to a new level. Several times I have looked and the humidity has said "low". I candled yesterday (on day 15) and much to my surprise 5 of my 6 have development and I saw movement in 3. I am on day 16 today, so we will be able see if any hatch despite our neglect together. Good luck with your hatch. I have had eggs hatch that didn't look right, so don't give up hope.

 

[becky3086]

It really shouldn't hurt them at all. Many people dry incubate and I have read an article about how you will get a better hatch if you never turn them, so don't worry, just leave them alone and see what happens.
Becky