I need a little advice please

[WILIFORD]

I think everything is okay, but I would appreciate some input. This is my first time incubating eggs. I did all my research and home work before starting this process. I ordered 36 eggs, Dominque's. I put them in the incubator 20 days ago. I candled them at day 14, of the 36 I had 3 that were not fertile, and 3 that failed to develop past the first few day. the other 30 were good. I went in to lock down at day 18 (day before yesterday). I got home from work yesterday evening, which is day 19. I had 7 unexpected hatched chicks, and they were all doing well. Plus I could see 2 others starting to pip. Sometime in the night those two hatched and I have a few more pipping this morning. I have transferred the 9 to a brood box. I think all is well, But should I be concerned that they started hatching on day 19, 1 day after lockdown, is that to early? I'm not panicked about, but I would like to know if I've done something wrong. Is this common?

 

[MGG]

I think everything is okay, but I would appreciate some input. This is my first time incubating eggs. I did all my research and home work before starting. I ordered 36 eggs. I put them in the incubator 20 days ago. I candle them at day 14, of the 36 I had 3 that were not fertile, and 3 that failed to develop past the first few day. the other 30 were good. I went in to lock down at day 18 (day before yesterday). I got home from work yesterday evening, which is day 19. I had 7 unexpected hatched chicks, and they were all doing well. Plus I could see 2 others starting to pip. Sometime in the night those two hatched and I have a few more pipping this morning. I have transferred the 9 to a brood box. I think al is well, But should I be concerned I concerned that they started hatching on day 19, 1 day after lockdown? I'm not panicked about. Is this common?

Did you test your temp before setting the eggs with a calibrated thermometer? I'm guessing the temp was too high. They'll be fine, but they are supposed to externally pip on day 20 and hatch on day 21.

 

[WILIFORD]

Did you test your temp before setting the eggs with a calibrated thermometer? I'm guessing the temp was too high. They'll be fine, but they are supposed to externally pip on day 20 and hatch on day 21.

Yes that was the first thing I did was verify with a independent thermometer and hygrometer, before starting this process

 

[MGG]

Yes that was the first thing I did was verify with a independent thermometer and hygrometer, before starting this process

Did you actually calibrate the thermometer in ice water though?
And what kind of incubator?

 

[Weeg]

Yes that was the first thing I did was verify with a independent thermometer and hygrometer, before starting this process

Was the independent thermometer calibrated? it was probably just a tad bit to high, but it won't hurt them. You know, I have also heard that with a team to high, it is more difficult for male embryos to hatch. So maybe the 3 that didn't continue to develop were males? Lol! Its a possibility!

 

[aart]

But should I be concerned that they started hatching on day 19, 1 day after lockdown, is that to early?

Nah, it's fine.
Do the chicks look good?
21 days is average.
A bit of temp differential can make them a bit 'early' or a bit 'late'.
There can be 'cold' and 'hot' spots in the incubator too.
Had a chick pip and get glues to the turner on day 18 once,
was right next to the turner motor, so warmer.

Did you actually calibrate the thermometer in ice water though?

32°F is nowhere near incubation range,
better to use a human medical thermometer for calibration/testing.
they are in the right range and tolerance is 0.5°.

 

[WILIFORD]

yes i used to be an instrumentation tech. So I calibrate both the thermometer, and hygrometer. I did have a thought after you mention temp. I wonder if in that 42 egg incubator if there were zone that were warmer than others and these early comers may have been in a warmer location

 

[MGG]

yes i used to be an instrumentation tech. So I calibrate both the thermometer, and hygrometer. I did have a thought after you mention temp. I wonder if in that 42 egg incubator if there were zone that were warmer than others and these early comers may have been in a warmer location

Yes, hot spots are a possibility. They're more common in still air incubators though. Were the eggs that hatched all in the same spot?

 

[WILIFORD]

Nah, it's fine.
Do the chicks look good?
21 days is average.
A bit of temp differential can make them a bit 'early' or a bit 'late'.
There can be 'cold' and 'hot' spots in the incubator too.
Had a chick pip and get glues to the turner on day 18 once,
was right next to the turner motor, so warmer.


32°F is nowhere near incubation range,
better to use a human medical thermometer for calibration/testing.
they are in the right range and tolerance is 0.5°.

Yes they looked good when I Ieft the house this morning. I wished I could have got the day off, but my boss wasn't going for the baby bonding approach

 

[MGG]

Nah, it's fine.
Do the chicks look good?
21 days is average.
A bit of temp differential can make them a bit 'early' or a bit 'late'.
There can be 'cold' and 'hot' spots in the incubator too.
Had a chick pip and get glues to the turner on day 18 once,
was right next to the turner motor, so warmer.


32°F is nowhere near incubation range,
better to use a human medical thermometer for calibration/testing.
they are in the right range and tolerance is 0.5°.

That's true. I've only ever done it in ice water so I can't speak from experience about the other methods. I will try them in the spring when I get my incubator back out for sure though.