Is my batch done for?

[clairabean]

Day 5. Temp spiked to 40*C (104*F) last night and then down to 30*C (86*F) this morning. Ugh, having a hard time with regulating.
I candled yesterday and only one out of 21 had veins. About 5 had dark spots, no veins.

I am tempted to chuck the whole mess. Get my temp steady and start fresh. I don't want to stop prematurely, though.

Opinions?

 

[wegotchickens]

Only on day 5? Leave them alone and see what't in there on day 12.

 

[clairabean]

Do you think the high spiking will effect them? I don't want to bake the poor eggs!

I just don't think I can regulate without a whole bator overhaul. It is a homemade bator.

 

[wegotchickens]

Quote:
Depends on how long it was high and how accurate your thermometer is.
I'd leave them in and see what happens. Also, it can help you work out any other 'bugs' with your system as you regulate humidity and such.

I never candle really early. It can hurt the embryos and be deceptive. Look again later and see what's there. And in the meantime, regulate and study for any other bator flaws.

If the bator haul doesn't take too long, then set the eggs to the side and put them back when you're done. hens get off the nest, so a little cooling spell won't hurt them.

 

[HEChicken]

I would also leave them in and see what happens for another week. I didn't see veins in mine to begin with either (lack of experience candling and/or light not strong enough maybe?) Keep in mind that a spike in air temperature does not mean there was an equal spike in temperature at the center of the egg. It takes time for the whole egg to become the same temperature as the air, so a spike either up or down for a short term is not a big deal. (Think about leaving a small jar of very hot or very cold water in a room. It takes time before the temperature of the water is the same temp as the room).