In anticipation of STUCK CHICKS... what do I do?

[Akane]

I would think quick humidity changes would be bad. It could cause water to settle in bad places in the eggs like the air cell. Eggs can't lose or gain the water that quickly. If you want to run it dry then run it dry. If you want to maintain a certain humidity with water then do that. I wouldn't do both.

The day you stop turning them is when you should add water to the point you want it at for hatching. Then don't open the incubator, not even to add water, until they are all done or at least all pipped. I've noticed if I open before they've pipped I lose them but if I open it after then I just risk one getting stuck and needing help in the end. If the others finish hatching and you notice one or a few stuck then you can take it out and moisten the membrane with warm water to help get it out. The last few days I control the water by removing or replacing vent plugs so I don't have to open it to add more for the hatch. If I do have to add more I run a piece of airline tubing (sold in the aquarium section) to the water tray and then squirt the water in with a syringe.

You should test your humidity gauge. Put it in a bag with damp salt and it should read 75%. If not then adjust for the difference. Mine reads 4% high.

 

[deerman]

Quote:
Depend on what kind of incubator you have. The styrofoam should not be open, takes way to long to recover. Now the cabinet incubators recover both the temp. and humidity within a few min.
With both turkey and peafowl eggs I have found out closing the vents, can reduce the fresh air. With a large # of eggs they reduce the oxygen they need. Get alot more dead chick after they pip.
With mine I open all vents all the way,and add a pan of water.to raise the humidity. Solved the dead in the shell,after pipping.
Think of it like putting chicks in a box. the more you add the faster they use that oxygen. Would this be the time to start closing off any vent hole???????

 

[DawnSuiter]

Well.. this morning the last 3 eggs went into hatch mode.
I dutifully checked via candle and 2 look like picture perfect aircells and 1 is a little larger... all 3 have movement.

I DID forget that my last hatches happened in the wrong environment, I learned that my instructions were wrong, because when i got a new 2nd bator same model for the load of eggs I had, it's directions were different for adding water and these turkey eggs got that treatment, so maybe they are ok. These turkeys stayed around 48-50% Rh during incubation.

I don't have any cartons so they are lying on their sides as usual. Next year i will try hatching in cartons. I filled both water trays, didn't apply anything (cloth/mat) to the welded wire floor, in case that was my problem with the last turkey, and I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Turkeys are due on Friday. Thanks everyone for your support.

I think I've learned that low humidity is better than high humidty... is that right?

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Right, body...less is more when it come to humidity and incubating.

 

[DawnSuiter]

Well.. its already going poorly.
One turkey pipped already, and it's 2 days early! Maybe thats' ok but I certainly don't hear any peeping...

 

[tntstanifer]

I feel your pain and anxiety! Just don't open that bator!! I've had chicks ( haven't hatched turkey....YET!

) and ducks to pip and stay in there over 24 hours before they decide to zip. I've found that less humidity is best the first "incubating" days.....but when it's "hatching mode" then I just make sure every "pan" is filled in the tray underneath the wire.

I think the "saran wrap" that someone mentioned, was not the literal saran wrap we use in the kitchen. It was describing how the membrane when dried out acts like saran wrap around the chick.

Keep us updated!!!

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Quote:
Not to worry...some chicks pip 24 hours or more before they hatch. Just don't get anxious and start helping out. As long as they are pipped, they have access to plenty of air. There is a LOT that happens during hatching and it takes quite a bit of energy and maneuvering for the chick. It takes time...

 

[DawnSuiter]

A second has pipped and is zipping its way out.. the first is still visible through the hole in the shell and seems to be TRYING to zip but it's at the pointy end... will it ever make it out on it's own with the pointy end pipped???

update: two turkeys out.. first to zip is doing well... the first to pip (2nd to hatch) is so-so.. very wet, very lethargic.. a little bloody

last egg has a big pip in I can now see thanks to turkey #1 flipping it over... it's not moving... I haven't seen any action outta that one, but TOMORROW is hatch day.. NOT TODAY! Silly turkeys!

I FINALLY HAVE TURKEYS... now.. I hope they make it... they are so cute! like chickens only more aware.. I swear turkey #1 is staring right back at me through the window! LOL.. and screaming it's little head off!

 

[tntstanifer]

Congratulations!!! I want some turkeys!!