Incubation success rate question.

Bleenstar · Oct 21, 2008

I am on day 5ish and I candled some of my silkie eggs, and well I see fertility!! now..question is what specific thing should I do to help them hatch successfully, I read alot of...non-hatch but fertile stories and now i'm a little scared. I know to bump up the humidity 60-70% day 18(Edit:I knew that XD) and no more turning, what else should I do? They are right now in egg cartons, and to turn them I'm turning the whole incubator.

would the hatch rate be better if i take them out of the egg carton and lay them on their sides after day 18(I knew that)? or just leave em be...(sorry I bet you guys hear this question alot) I would just like to know some personal experiences

Also depending on how much hatch, I think i may need to give some silkies<chicks/teens> away lol, who wants to be on that list? just raise your hand its free, just pay for shipping ...or free shipping depending how close you live!

Edit to add picture Isnt she/he pretty!!!! My daughter almost cracked the egg to "save" the chick thats "trapped" inside its cage. I should have known when she ran for the hammer...good think I have fast hands!! phew!

LOL no i dont literally turn the incubators..I ment I tilt them hahaha..and I live in California. I should put that under my name lol

Katy · Oct 21, 2008

It's day 18 when you want to bump the humidity up and stop turning....not day 14.

I take them out of the turner and put them in cartons in the hatcher on day 18.

klf73 · Oct 21, 2008

actually you don't bump humidity up until day 18 and stop turning that day too. As for leaving them in the carton or laying them on their side it is a matter of personal preference. I like to keep them in the carton and only had problem with pips on the wrong end when humidity was too high during incubation. Good luck!

shelleyd2008 · Oct 21, 2008

I use an automatic egg turner, and the instructions say to remove them from the turner. So that's what I do. Like klf73 said, it is just a matter of personal preference. Although laying them on their sides is more natural.

Fudgie · Oct 21, 2008

Quote:What do you mean by you turn the whole incubator? You lift up one side or the other or rotate the incubator. You need to rock from side to side if you are not doing that. like put a big phone book under one side and then switch to the other side the next time you turn.

Where are you located so we can figure this out now! LOL ? We will plan on a successful hatch and I NEED silkies. They are evil and they have me under their spell! I have my hand up I want some!

Bleenstar · Oct 21, 2008

instead of phonebooks...I use Language learning CDs they are going to be some smart silkies

Fudgie · Oct 21, 2008

LOL Mine will know how to call 911 if I ever need them too!

Bleenstar · Oct 22, 2008

Breaking News!! A chicken just saved a mother and three kids today from a robbery! It dialed 911 right at the nick of time and the police arrived and arrested the robber. The family is now safe and is celebrating their hero's awesome dialing skills!

and now back to the weather report!