Last 3 days in incubator for newbie

[AmyLynn2374]

Ok thanks. Little Egbert has been out of his egg almost 24 hours but he is the only one not fluffy, he looks kind of matted so maybe he had membrane dry on him. Should I leave him in the incubator longer?

Leaving him in the incubator isn't going to fluff him up if he has dried membrane around/on him. You can use a wet cloth with warm water (a little dawn blue dish detergent won't hurt, but i'd do just the water first) and rub him up. You can blow dry him after or put him under the brooder light.

 

[mmrmm]

Ok, I was scared he would get sick from getting wet again so I was waiting. Will try a warm sponge bath. Thank you again AmyLynn, you have been a huge help.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Ok, I was scared he would get sick from getting wet again so I was waiting. Will try a warm sponge bath. Thank you again AmyLynn, you have been a huge help.

You're welcome.

 

[mmrmm]

I keep thinking I am finished but I just candled the last 4 eggs and one is alive. Should I do anything? I am horrified that he could still be moving in there and not make it.

 

[SilkieLegs]

Before lockdown (day 17) 3 of my 5 silkie eggs were wobbling. I've turned by hand twice a day and did once more. On day 18 no wobbles. I decided to lockdown and stopped turning. I'm trying to keep humidity consistent - fluctuates between 40-55. Also the temp, which has been a steady 99.5, dropped to 97-99. Maybe because I'm trying to get humidity up. Today is day 21 still no wobbles....nothing. Any advice?

 

[mmrmm]

Mine are silkies too and since this is my first time I can only tell what mine did. I had no movement at all, no wobbles or anything during lockdown until they pipped externally. I thought for sure all of mine were lost because I read about wobbling but I took pics and there was nothing different from day 18 to 21. They started pipping on day 21 and that was the first movement I saw. I also had my humidity up to 70-80% the entire time except when they started coming out and I guess the liquid from hatching eggs caused it to go up to almost 90 for a very short time.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I keep thinking I am finished but I just candled the last 4 eggs and one is alive. Should I do anything? I am horrified that he could still be moving in there and not make it.

Not a whole lot you can do except let nature take it's course at the moment. It's possible he could not make it and it's just as possible it will be fine.

Before lockdown (day 17) 3 of my 5 silkie eggs were wobbling. I've turned by hand twice a day and did once more. On day 18 no wobbles. I decided to lockdown and stopped turning. I'm trying to keep humidity consistent - fluctuates between 40-55. Also the temp, which has been a steady 99.5, dropped to 97-99. Maybe because I'm trying to get humidity up. Today is day 21 still no wobbles....nothing. Any advice?

Personally, I would want that humidity a lot higher than 55%, (though there are a few that hatch at lower humidity) and yes, the higher humidity can alter the temps. I higher my humidity and if I have to- adjust the temp up. Are you using a fan forced air incubator?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Mine are silkies too and since this is my first time I can only tell what mine did. I had no movement at all, no wobbles or anything during lockdown until they pipped externally. I thought for sure all of mine were lost because I read about wobbling but I took pics and there was nothing different from day 18 to 21. They started pipping on day 21 and that was the first movement I saw. I also had my humidity up to 70-80% the entire time except when they started coming out and I guess the liquid from hatching eggs caused it to go up to almost 90 for a very short time.

I very seldom see eggs wobble. I don't know why everyone else seems to see all this "rocking. I might see a slight movement now and again, but then I question if I saw it at all....lol And I am glued to that bator! I hatch at 75% and once they start hatching it'll increase to close to 90. I take advantage of the increase and pull out chicks and shells....lol

 

[SilkieLegs]

Ok, I'm encouraged from y'all's posts. Yes, a forced air. I got home and one is wobbling again. I'm going cross eyed making sure. Then I hear a peep!! I draped a sock down the inside with one end hanging out. This way I can pour water to it and it wicks inside. Sponge would be better but I'm scared to open at this point. I think two are peeping. It's gonna be a long night. Somebody order pizza for my kids...oh wait, I have a calf to bottle feed?!! Peep-Moo I'm so torn right now! Love this life on the farm.

 

[farmerJonBrown]

I am just going to say that lockdown is pretty much torture. All of this time I have been watching and making sure the humidity was right, and that my turner was working, and that my temperature was stable. Now I just keep hoping to see those eggs wobble. I went into lockdown on 21 quail eggs on Monday evening. I just keep looking through the window and hoping to see something. Nothing so far. It probably wouldn't be so bad if this wasn't my first hatch and I was worried about messing it up. Temperature 100, humidity 75%, fingers crossed.