JUST FOR FUN NOVEMBER HATCH–A–LONG!!! 2015

[ChickenCanoe]

Your plan is good. Just make sure the humidity is quite high in the hatcher. Embryos close to hatch can handle a wider range of temperatures so it isn't as critical as the 99.5 through the rest of incubation.
In a still air 101.5 at the top of the eggs is assumed to give 99.5 in the middle.
Those are only a day apart each so you'll probably have eggs hatching in both at the same time.
Stopping turning a day early or turning an extra day isn't a big deal IMO.

 

[TKIRKMAN6]

So you think it is safe to stop turning in day 18 even though the the bothers have a day or two left of turning? I thought about taking all out of turner at the same time and turn the others by hand a couple of times a day for the additional two days, but I worried about the fact that I had to increase the humidity so much for the first batch that it may not be good for the other two batches that were a day or two behind. What are your thoughts on this?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

With a 21 day incubation period, how much difference could a couple days make with humidity?
The eggs should lose about 13% of the weight.
If you think about it, a mother hen doesn't change the humidity at day 18. She is subject to ambient humidity.
A mother hen doesn't stop turning eggs at exactly 18 days. It's more likely 19 or 20.
A mother hen almost always has better results than an incubator.
The lock down period is an artificial invention of the table top incubator crowd.
Day 18 was selected because sometimes, if temperature had been too high throughout, eggs will hatch at 19 or 20 days.
They need to have higher humidity once they pip to prevent shrink wrapping.

 

[CherriesBrood]

So you think it is safe to stop turning in day 18 even though the the bothers have a day or two left of turning? I thought about taking all out of turner at the same time and turn the others by hand a couple of times a day for the additional two days, but I worried about the fact that I had to increase the humidity so much for the first batch that it may not be good for the other two batches that were a day or two behind. What are your thoughts on this?

I think it's fine. People usally say stop turning day 18 so the humidity won't be messed with. The younger eggs will be fine. I usually lockdown a day early myself because I find some eggs hatch real early and some hatch late. The late hatchers turn out fine, so I think you have nothing to worry about. Not to cause stress, but there can be occasions when one chick is to early to not be turned anymore therefore it can get stuck on one side of the egg and not hatch. If I where you I'd turn the youngest eggs twice for their first day on lockdown (just in case) This should be fine for the other older eggs as long as your quick about it. Hope this helps.

 

[CherriesBrood]

With a 21 day incubation period, how much difference could a couple days make with humidity?
The eggs should lose about 13% of the weight.
If you think about it, a mother hen doesn't change the humidity at day 18. She is subject to ambient humidity.
A mother hen doesn't stop turning eggs at exactly 18 days. It's more likely 19 or 20.
A mother hen almost always has better results than an incubator.
The lock down period is an artificial invention of the table top incubator crowd.
Day 18 was selected because sometimes, if temperature had been too high throughout, eggs will hatch at 19 or 20 days.
They need to have higher humidity once they pip to prevent shrink wrapping.

X2

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I once stopped turning at day 5 because the temps had ranged from 92 to 108 and I thought they all died. Being a procrastinator, I didn't unplug the incubator or continue to turn.
2 of the eggs still hatched.

 

[CherriesBrood]

Oh I'm getting so excited, 5 more days till lockdown, and 7 until they hatch. I've done this a lot but each time is so nerve racking and so exciting!!!

 

[CherriesBrood]

Where is everyone? Join. Wouldn't want to miss out on the hatch! My chicks are hatching in 5 days!

 

[gander007]

Well late last night I had three eggs peep and the longest one took thirteen hours to come out of it's shell

The cold air rushing in made them run to the back of the incubator

Learning to huddle

I have 17 more eggs in the incubator so I had to make it quick and get the photo before getting the young chicks out and getting them into the brooder I think I might stop on the Molten Houdan's and get to work on the Marans eggs as it is getting late in the year and the egg production on the Marans and the Russian Orloff hens have not given up an egg in almost three weeks so they might come out of the breeding coop and the Marans should be going in shortly .......

 

[CherriesBrood]

Aww very cute! And congrats. What breed are they? Mine are going on lockdown tomorrow! xD So excited!