Incubation questions

[JenHarmon]

I have 12 eggs (most are silkies but some are silkie cross) in my incubator. We started out with 19. They are at 21 days today. I know knokids snuck some in on me when I was gone for a couple days so they are not all at the same development....but all within the same week. I have seen several of the eggs rocking. And we have been on lock down since Saturday. Temp is 99.5 and humidity is 58...it was 64 yesterday but won't stay that high for some reason. My issue is this....my silkie hen is broody and took over everyone's eggs....this is her first time and mine. She had 19 she was trying to sit on but she is tiny. They are due to hatch around the 16th. Another hen was sitting to but quit which is why I am guessing this hen took over. There are 10 eggs that just have no room to be warm under the hen....can I put them in the incubator with the ones about to hatch? There are embryos in all 10 that she cant sit on. She can barely fit 9. I don't know what to do, I don't really want these to die if i can help it. Its pretty cold out even in my garage where I have her. I cant afford another incubator right now.

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

Well, since it's your only option, put them in the bator. What are you keeping the humidity at? I'd keep it on the low end for lockdown, about 55%. Maybe even less, but watch out for shrink wrapped chicks. Remove chicks as soon as they hatch and dry, and once they're all out remove all water and keep the bator at normal incubation humidity.

Please keep us updated, hope all goes well!

 

[JenHarmon]

Its staying between 53 and 58 for humidity. I keep a very close eye on things usually but had to go out of town and things went out of control while I was gone. Ugh. I will move them quickly and carefully so not much humidity or temp is changed.