Just put in my first batch of eggs today!

[Germaine_11.20]

Oh my gosh, you are all in for a fun ride. I had my first batch hatch out on the 23rd and was a wreck. Never thought I would be--but oh yeah. Did not cook, or clean much at all. Now I have alot of catch up to do!
But it was sooooo worth it. The adrenaline just flows as the little chicks start to rock and roll. I could not believe it when I could actually HEAR them chirping but they were still in the egg.
Then....drum roll please.... the first pip and then another. You are going to sit over them with a flashlight just like me I bet!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

 

[Pattymal]

Oh Rustyswoman I hope so!
I am worried because yesterday I got up at 5am (we were having a yard sale)- the egg temp was down to 97.3 so I turned the temp knob up a little bit, and then got busy with the sale-
Hours later when the sale was done, I checked my eggs and the temp was at 101.2! I freaked and popped the lid right away and quickly brought the temp down, but I fear I was too late.
Nothing more I can do though until we candle them...
Just out of curiousity, I may set my alarm for 5am again tonight though, to see if the temp always dips at that time...
I had NO IDEA incubating eggs would be this stressful!

 

[navywife22]

Pattymal:

My temp fluctuates a bit within a degree or a degree and a half. I don't think it will hurt them but I am a newbie so I am not sure. Just going by what I have read on here. My humidity is steady at 44%. I read some people have it at 35-40% for the first 18 days and I have read that others have it at 40-45% etc...I have read also that some keep the temp at 99.5 and others between 100-101. So, I am not sure what I should "really" have it at. I just leave mine when it fluctuates a degree or so and keep an eye on it so it doesn't get below 99.00 or above 101 and make sure the humidity doesn't go much higher than I have it now.

Sending good hatching vibes your way!!

I candled mine yesterday out of curiosity and found that about 4 were clear, but leaving them in for a few more days to see what happens. Gonna candle again on Tuesday to see if I can see any veins yet.

Kari

 

[navywife22]

This is day 3 of a silkie egg in the incubator. This is the larger end of the egg. Is this what it should look like? A lot of my silkie eggs are really porous.

I tried taking some pics of my EE eggs but they are green and a couple are a pinkish/tan color and it was hard to get good pictures of those.

Thanks,
Kari

 

[Pattymal]

I just candled ours, and most of them look a lot like the pic you just posted...
So, I am anxious to hear if that is a good sign or a bad sign!

:

I think my digital thermometer is registering a little high so I am not as worried about my temp spike as I was before-
I'm wondering what type/ how many thermometers do you guys have in your 'bators?
I'm using two of the bulb type, that came with my 'bator and egg turner,
plus
One thermometer/hygrometer combo that we keep in our hermit crab cage,
and
a digital thermometer/hygrometer that I just picked up in the reptile section of the pet store.
I have mainly been relying on the digital one, but I did not calibrate any of them and I don't know which is the most accurate!
The digital therm consistantly registers one or two degrees higher than the bulb thermometers...

 

[Pattymal]

I think I am talking to myself today, but that's OK!

I'm just happy that my 'bator is playing nice today and has been holding steady all day at 99.5 with 50% humidity...
I am afraid to even touch it for fear I'll break the spell, LOL!

I am assuming the dark mass at the large end of the shells is just the yolk and it's too soon to see anything more.
I'll probably candle again on Day 7 and hope to see some veins-

I'll try to take some photos then.

 

[navywife22]

I use a digital and regular thermometer. The digital also records the humidity. They are pretty much in sync with each other. I hope they are accurate.

I had one with a blood ring today. It was a silkie.

I took a picture and if it turned out okay I will post it. A couple I think aren't fertile at all. One I swear I saw an eye. LOL I am learning so much. I went to You Tube and typed in Candling Chicken eggs and saw tons of videos. You should check it out. I need to leave the eggs alone. It's hard not to candle them being a newbie and all. Day 7 for me is Thursday, I think. I put them in on the 25th at 2:30 p.m.

I can't see through my EE eggs at all so I don't know what is going on with them.

I honestly don't think I will have a good hatch, but I may be surprised.

Keep me posted on yours and if you get pictures, I would love to see them.

Kari

The day I put them in....June 25 at 2:30 p.m. I hadn't laid the thermometers on top yet....

 

[navywife22]

Today is day 5 in the bator and I candled a few, not all, and saw some veins starting to form.

I still can't see in my green EE eggs. My light isn't bright enough. I don't know what is going on with any of those eggs.

 

[AmyJ]

I'm on day 6 with mine and candled them today and they look good so far. Saw some viens! I can't see anything either from my blue/green ones so hopefully they are ok. I dropped one on day 3 while I was turning them,

, it had some cracks but I used some candle wax to hopefully save it. So we will see.

I don't know who is more excited, me or the kids lol!

 

[Pattymal]

I just candled mine again- it's really hard for me to tell what's going on inside, if anything! My eggs are dark and pretty porous.
Most I marked ?, they have a dark mass on the larger end and possibly some veins.
One is clearly clear, but I'm leaving it in a few more days for comparisons sake.
I was feeling pretty discouraged by the time I got to #13 (out of 15)- but to my great surprise, there was very obvious development in that one! I think I saw eyes!!!
I was so startled- I put it back in the 'bator like it was a hot potato!

Now I am worried that the heat of my candling bulb hurt it-

I am using a lamp with a 75w bulb, set in a cardboard box, the box lid and hole is about 4" above the bulb and it gets HOT- I only leave the eggs on for a few seconds but it still worries me.
I've gotta find a cooler bulb or better candling light!

for all of us- I'm so hopin' we all get at least one

out of this!