Incubating disaster.

[laura29532]

Help..this morning I found my incubator had been unplugged by mistake.
It went down to 78° before I realized it..
So excited yesterday when checking that they were mostly all with chicks..
Did not want to open the bator right now, just 5 days until hatching time.
I was ready to pull them off the turnovers on the 15th to hatch.
Will they still hatch being temp dropped.? Should I just trash them .?

 

[Pork Pie]

You have posted on the New Members Introductions forum. Maybe your question would get the best advice on the "incubating and hatching eggs" forum. I will ask a Moderator to move it there.

 

[WVduckchick]

If they didn't cool off for very long, they could still very easily hatch. Remember, a broody hen gets off the eggs every day! They could be a bit delayed, but definitely don't pitch them yet.

Good luck!

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

If they didn't cool off for very long, they could still very easily hatch. Remember, a broody hen gets off the eggs every day! They could be a bit delayed, but definitely don't pitch them yet.

Good luck!

X2 - I would continue with incubation until it's clear that they're not going to hatch.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Definitely do not give up. I once had a broody hen go back to the wrong nest, her eggs were really cold to the touch but I put her back on her nest and she eventually hatched 11 out of 11 eggs.

What happened is not good, but later in incubation the chicks inside the eggs are generating a lot of heat. While I can’t guarantee anything I’d lock down at the normal time and see what happens. You may be OK.

 

[WilloughbyStead]

Ditto ^ ... Crossing my fingers and sending positive vibes your way!

 

[laura29532]

Great news..I waited over night to be sure the temp went back up and stabilized. I candles a few eggs from each incubator, to my surprise chicks inside still moving..Thank God..my 5 yr old grandson had unplugged the cord to plug his kindle in before going to school(something I usually do for him) guess he didn't realize what would happen unplugging it..Thank God I realized it right away..I usually head outside to do my chickens and turkeys first thing, takes me a few hours..so they were unplugged about a half hour..guess I panicked when I seen the lights out..I'm now making room in my brick shed to put the incubators..safe than sorry...I wasn't to thrilled about ditching the 54 eggs and had a melt down moment..lol I had ten of my heritage blue slate turkey eggs in one, her first eggs with my new blue slate Tom breeding..thanks for all the great help, I appreciate everyone's help and great advice during my melt down...

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Great news..I waited over night to be sure the temp went back up and stabilized. I candles a few eggs from each incubator, to my surprise chicks inside still moving..Thank God..my 5 yr old grandson had unplugged the cord to plug his kindle in before going to school(something I usually do for him) guess he didn't realize what would happen unplugging it..Thank God I realized it right away..I usually head outside to do my chickens and turkeys first thing, takes me a few hours..so they were unplugged about a half hour..guess I panicked when I seen the lights out..I'm now making room in my brick shed to put the incubators..safe than sorry...I wasn't to thrilled about ditching the 54 eggs and had a melt down moment..lol I had ten of my heritage blue slate turkey eggs in one, her first eggs with my new blue slate Tom breeding..thanks for all the great help, I appreciate everyone's help and great advice during my melt down...

That's good to hear!

Incubator scares are really stressful - mine usually happen when the power goes out due to storms. Best wishes for a great hatch!

 

[WVduckchick]

Awesome news!!

 

[Ridgerunner]