My second batch of eggs.... I have had 2 hatch... the first one, made it all the way out of its shell, but I found it dead in the bator with it's umbilical cord still attached to the shell
I give up :'(
- Thread starter ma2babygurl13
- Start date
My second batch of eggs.... I have had 2 hatch... the first one, made it all the way out of its shell, but I found it dead in the bator with it's umbilical cord still attached to the shell
Ohhh, I'm so sorry.
Try to remember there is a learning curve to EVERYTHING, and with hatching eggs, there are so many variables over which we have no, or very little control.
If Ben Franklin gave up when he was not as successful as he had hoped to be, who knows how long it might have been before someone else figured our electricity and the light bulb?? Goodness knows, if it had been left up to me, we would still be chiseling out wheels from stone!!
You may have done everything perfectly, and this was simply the hand of "eggs" you were dealt. Chances are, next time it will be easier. Hang in there!
If Ben Franklin gave up when he was not as successful as he had hoped to be, who knows how long it might have been before someone else figured our electricity and the light bulb?? Goodness knows, if it had been left up to me, we would still be chiseling out wheels from stone!!
You may have done everything perfectly, and this was simply the hand of "eggs" you were dealt. Chances are, next time it will be easier. Hang in there!
- Thread starter
- #3
I sure hope so... they are from our trio of bronze's and we had a heck of a time with that to even get these eggs...first 2 batches we gave to a buddy and he didn't get a single live one... several were fertile but no live hatches. Then we decided to try and let momma set them... we had probably 20 eggs in the nest then one by one they disappeared... we set a live trap and caught a big ol momma coon... then we decided to buy an incubator and try for ourselves (we've never hatched anything) and I thought all was going well...now I am just disappointed...I was looking forward to lots of babies
First I would like to say, don't give up. You can do it. Next, I googled "incubating turkey eggs" because I know turkeys are different from chicken eggs. This is what I came up with from wikihow, Hope it helps.
If the eggs under your turkey hen(s) aren't hatching well, you can move them into an incubator for better hatching success. Since turkey eggs have different needs than chicken eggs, here's how to increase your chances of having fluffy little turkeys running around...
Set up your incubator at least 24 hours before you put the eggs in.
Fill the lower channel with water to ensure adequate humidity.
Place two thermometers in the incubator. Make sure they are elevated to half the height of the eggs (usually about 1 inch). You can get disposable plastic cups and cut them to the desired height to act as platforms for the thermometers.
Attach a fabric extension to the bulb of one thermometer and make sure that the other end is in the water channel underneath. This thermometer, called a wet-bulb thermometer, will give you a rough idea of the humidity in the incubator, but only if the fabric is wet.
Make sure the temperature is stable at or around 99 degrees, and the wet-bulb temperature stays between 85 and 100 degrees.
Mark the eggs with a regular pencil. Put an "x" on one side and an "o" on the other (when the eggs are laying flat on their sides). This is so that when you turn them, you'll be able to turn them exactly 180 degrees. Do not use a colored pencil, a pen, or a marker - these contain chemicals that will harm the turkey through the shell.
Place the eggs gently in the incubator. Have them all with the same letter facing up.
Turn all the eggs either three or five times every 24 hours. This prevents the turkey inside from sticking to the shell. Stop turning the eggs three days before they hatch so the turkey can get into hatching position.
The normal incubating period for turkeys is 28 days.
Handle the eggs as little as possible. The less disturbance you create, the more likely the hatching will go smoothly.
Keep an eye on the water level underneath. If you let it go too low, the incubator will get too dry. The relative humidity during hatching time should be 65% or more to prevent the turkey from drying out inside its cracked shell and dying during hatching.
When a turkey starts poking through the shell, do NOT turn the egg. Make sure that the crack the turkey is making is facing up. If you put the crack facing the floor, the turkey may not be able to break through. In the last three days of incubation the turkey will move to get into hatching position. 6-12 hours before they hatch you may even hear them start to peep.
The first crack will probably show up towards the thicker end of the egg. The turkey often drills his way around the circumference of the egg and pops the end open like a cap.
The hatching process takes between 5 and 10 hours.
The newly hatched turkey will probably be peeping, wobbly, tired and wet. Make sure it stays warm and rests.
After 24 hours have passed, show the turkey its water and food. Dip its beak in the water (but not so that it goes in the nostrils) and watch him drink. Repeat with the feed. Hopefully your turkey will learn and start eating and drinking by itself.
Always wash your hands (and never touch your face) right before touching the turkey eggs. The oils from your skin can permeate the egg shell and contaminate (i.e. hurt) the turkey inside.
Never touch young turkeys after being in contact with chickens. There are diseases that can be passed from chickens to young turkeys (although fully grown turkeys are okay).
If you don't turn the eggs properly, your newborn turkey might hatch with a twisted leg that it won't be able to stand up with. In this case, the baby will probably need to be put down.
Resist the urge to help a hatching turkey. This will do more harm than good. Let nature take its course.
Set up your incubator at least 24 hours before you put the eggs in.
Fill the lower channel with water to ensure adequate humidity.
Place two thermometers in the incubator. Make sure they are elevated to half the height of the eggs (usually about 1 inch). You can get disposable plastic cups and cut them to the desired height to act as platforms for the thermometers.
Attach a fabric extension to the bulb of one thermometer and make sure that the other end is in the water channel underneath. This thermometer, called a wet-bulb thermometer, will give you a rough idea of the humidity in the incubator, but only if the fabric is wet.
Make sure the temperature is stable at or around 99 degrees, and the wet-bulb temperature stays between 85 and 100 degrees.
Mark the eggs with a regular pencil. Put an "x" on one side and an "o" on the other (when the eggs are laying flat on their sides). This is so that when you turn them, you'll be able to turn them exactly 180 degrees. Do not use a colored pencil, a pen, or a marker - these contain chemicals that will harm the turkey through the shell.
Place the eggs gently in the incubator. Have them all with the same letter facing up.
Turn all the eggs either three or five times every 24 hours. This prevents the turkey inside from sticking to the shell. Stop turning the eggs three days before they hatch so the turkey can get into hatching position.
The normal incubating period for turkeys is 28 days.
Handle the eggs as little as possible. The less disturbance you create, the more likely the hatching will go smoothly.
Keep an eye on the water level underneath. If you let it go too low, the incubator will get too dry. The relative humidity during hatching time should be 65% or more to prevent the turkey from drying out inside its cracked shell and dying during hatching.
When a turkey starts poking through the shell, do NOT turn the egg. Make sure that the crack the turkey is making is facing up. If you put the crack facing the floor, the turkey may not be able to break through. In the last three days of incubation the turkey will move to get into hatching position. 6-12 hours before they hatch you may even hear them start to peep.
The first crack will probably show up towards the thicker end of the egg. The turkey often drills his way around the circumference of the egg and pops the end open like a cap.
The hatching process takes between 5 and 10 hours.
The newly hatched turkey will probably be peeping, wobbly, tired and wet. Make sure it stays warm and rests.
After 24 hours have passed, show the turkey its water and food. Dip its beak in the water (but not so that it goes in the nostrils) and watch him drink. Repeat with the feed. Hopefully your turkey will learn and start eating and drinking by itself.
Always wash your hands (and never touch your face) right before touching the turkey eggs. The oils from your skin can permeate the egg shell and contaminate (i.e. hurt) the turkey inside.
Never touch young turkeys after being in contact with chickens. There are diseases that can be passed from chickens to young turkeys (although fully grown turkeys are okay).
If you don't turn the eggs properly, your newborn turkey might hatch with a twisted leg that it won't be able to stand up with. In this case, the baby will probably need to be put down.
Resist the urge to help a hatching turkey. This will do more harm than good. Let nature take its course.
Don't give up... watch that little one that is pipping and the other eggs.... they might just hatch. I'm finding we learn as we go along here....some lessons hurt a bit more than others... Just read as much as you can and keep on trying. (((((ma2babygurl13)))))
Tia
Tia
I have finally gotten a good hatch, lots of Quail and lots of baby BO's.
I was so happy, but I killed lots of eggs first.
I did get a good turkey hatch with eggs from OK Carla. They are Blue Slates.
They are now big teenage turkey chicks whistling away.
I think it is like others say, there is a learning curve. In my case, my one incubator was too hot, it was the 1588 Genesis, and also I wasn't getting my humidity high enough in either incubator.
I still have a heck of a time getting the humidity in the LG high enough. I had little jars of water all over the place and then all my little Quails jumped into them and I had to save them and one drowned. I blow dried them.
But, now, I do think I am getting it. The little Quails and BO's are doing great.
I guess my point is don't give up and keep working on the temp and humidity. Good luck.
Catherine
I was so happy, but I killed lots of eggs first.
I did get a good turkey hatch with eggs from OK Carla. They are Blue Slates.
They are now big teenage turkey chicks whistling away.
I think it is like others say, there is a learning curve. In my case, my one incubator was too hot, it was the 1588 Genesis, and also I wasn't getting my humidity high enough in either incubator.
I still have a heck of a time getting the humidity in the LG high enough. I had little jars of water all over the place and then all my little Quails jumped into them and I had to save them and one drowned. I blow dried them.
But, now, I do think I am getting it. The little Quails and BO's are doing great.
I guess my point is don't give up and keep working on the temp and humidity. Good luck.
Catherine
Quote:
A few things stand out here to me, so I have some questions. Is your friend an experienced hatcher? If so, maybe there's a problem with your parent birds. A deficiency in the diet, or a lethal gene? A dietary problem can cause a low hatch/survival rate. Did the first eggs have poor fertility? You didn't say how many were fertile out of how many eggs total. Sometimes, if it's a first breeding season, it takes the birds a while to get the hang of it, and make good contact when they mate.
Did the incubator warm up properly and get stable before you set the eggs? Did you fiddle with it a lot? Did the eggs get cold when they were moved from mom to the 'bator?
What temp did you use, and did you monitor humidity, or add water at any point?
It's not unusual to have a poor hatch on your first try. Like many things, it can take awhile to get the hang of it. If everybody gave up after one unsuccessful attempt at everything they tried, hardly anybody would accomplish anything.
I'd read up on the basics of hatching, and read up on the dietary needs of breeding turkeys, (adding things like wheat germ oil, or cod liver oil, has been recommended) and give it another try. If it's too late for this year, then try again in the spring, when they lay again.
ETA: If you have a broody chicken, they're really good at hatching and raising turkeys. You just have to make sure she doesn't have too many eggs to keep them properly warm.
A few things stand out here to me, so I have some questions. Is your friend an experienced hatcher? If so, maybe there's a problem with your parent birds. A deficiency in the diet, or a lethal gene? A dietary problem can cause a low hatch/survival rate. Did the first eggs have poor fertility? You didn't say how many were fertile out of how many eggs total. Sometimes, if it's a first breeding season, it takes the birds a while to get the hang of it, and make good contact when they mate.
Did the incubator warm up properly and get stable before you set the eggs? Did you fiddle with it a lot? Did the eggs get cold when they were moved from mom to the 'bator?
What temp did you use, and did you monitor humidity, or add water at any point?
It's not unusual to have a poor hatch on your first try. Like many things, it can take awhile to get the hang of it. If everybody gave up after one unsuccessful attempt at everything they tried, hardly anybody would accomplish anything.
I'd read up on the basics of hatching, and read up on the dietary needs of breeding turkeys, (adding things like wheat germ oil, or cod liver oil, has been recommended) and give it another try. If it's too late for this year, then try again in the spring, when they lay again.
ETA: If you have a broody chicken, they're really good at hatching and raising turkeys. You just have to make sure she doesn't have too many eggs to keep them properly warm.
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One of the prerequisites to be on this site is to Never Give Up!. Got it? Now you did say a trio? Are these birds related? Also I was recently on a disease site and one of the problems caused by this particular disease (I don't remember which) is chicks whose umbilical cord does not close or detach right. Now I doubt this is the case but perhaps if the trio is related that may be a problem.
Do some research and you may find your not a bad hatcher. Though I think Terri is. (Get it Terri Hatcher?)
Do some research and you may find your not a bad hatcher. Though I think Terri is. (Get it Terri Hatcher?)
Last edited:
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- #9
Is your friend an experienced hatcher? I dont know how experienced he is...I know he has hatched some but not a lot...
You didn't say how many were fertile out of how many eggs total. I know the first 3 that he had he let the humidity drop and they got stuck in the shell after pipping... the second batch may have sat out too long before going into the bator, I don't know if any developed, but none hatched, he didn't break open the eggs to find out if they developed.
Did the incubator warm up properly and get stable before you set the eggs?
We had the incubator up and stable for 3 days before adding any eggs.
Did you fiddle with it a lot? No, as long as temp stayed steady we left it be
Did the eggs get cold when they were moved from mom to the 'bator?
The mom never sat on the nest... the longest they sat would have been 4 days before incubating.
What temp did you use, and did you monitor humidity, or add water at any point? We used a temp in the LG still air as close to 100 as we could be, as for humidity we didn't hve a hygrometer for a while we just kept the wells filled up... when we got our hygrometer we checked the humidity and during incubation it stayed around 50%... I think our low hatch rate is because we made a homemade hatcher..the first group went pretty good, the second group we have had some issues with temp spikes and humidity drops....this last group went ok .... we have some time before the next batch is ready to be pulled so we are going to try and tweak a few things.
It's not unusual to have a poor hatch on your first try. Like many things, it can take awhile to get the hang of it. If everybody gave up after one unsuccessful attempt at everything they tried, hardly anybody would accomplish anything. I know I just feel like a horrible person, so hard to watch little baby birds suffer.
If you have a broody chicken, they're really good at hatching and raising turkeys. You just have to make sure she doesn't have too many eggs to keep them properly warm.
We don't have any chickens just the turkeys... We are going to try and let our blue slate hen set on her eggs she has been laying.
You didn't say how many were fertile out of how many eggs total. I know the first 3 that he had he let the humidity drop and they got stuck in the shell after pipping... the second batch may have sat out too long before going into the bator, I don't know if any developed, but none hatched, he didn't break open the eggs to find out if they developed.
Did the incubator warm up properly and get stable before you set the eggs?
We had the incubator up and stable for 3 days before adding any eggs.
Did you fiddle with it a lot? No, as long as temp stayed steady we left it be
Did the eggs get cold when they were moved from mom to the 'bator?
The mom never sat on the nest... the longest they sat would have been 4 days before incubating.
What temp did you use, and did you monitor humidity, or add water at any point? We used a temp in the LG still air as close to 100 as we could be, as for humidity we didn't hve a hygrometer for a while we just kept the wells filled up... when we got our hygrometer we checked the humidity and during incubation it stayed around 50%... I think our low hatch rate is because we made a homemade hatcher..the first group went pretty good, the second group we have had some issues with temp spikes and humidity drops....this last group went ok .... we have some time before the next batch is ready to be pulled so we are going to try and tweak a few things.
It's not unusual to have a poor hatch on your first try. Like many things, it can take awhile to get the hang of it. If everybody gave up after one unsuccessful attempt at everything they tried, hardly anybody would accomplish anything. I know I just feel like a horrible person, so hard to watch little baby birds suffer.
If you have a broody chicken, they're really good at hatching and raising turkeys. You just have to make sure she doesn't have too many eggs to keep them properly warm.
We don't have any chickens just the turkeys... We are going to try and let our blue slate hen set on her eggs she has been laying.
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- #10
Quote:
No they are not related... the hens came from the same person and the tom from another.
No they are not related... the hens came from the same person and the tom from another.
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