late eggs???

[billyroo]

Ok so I teach science and raise a few chickens...

I placed eggs (chicken) in a dome bator on 4/2. Everything I have read says 21 days later I'd have chicks.

It's the 25...ie day 23...no pips and no chicks. We have checked the temp and hum everyday....no problems.

We opened an egg on day 7...some blood lines but it looked like it was about day 5.

Opened one day 14. contunued development but again...looked like day 10.

stoped turning eggs day 19 like instructed...

Today day 23 opened egg expecting dead chick/dead egg.

live chick nearly formed looks like day 18/20.

It has been good for the class but I am somewhat at a loss to "explain". I can see a few late bloomers but the whole clutch?

Any input short of "Why are you killing your chicks by opening the eggs?"

Answer..we are reviewing the development growth of the embroy during the incubation period.

Would be very useful.....

Thanks
Bill

 

[MissPrissy]

What kind(brand) of incubator are you using? What kind of thermometer are you use?

Still air temps need to be at 101 - 102 at the tops of the eggs. Forced air temps should be 99 - 100.

Your late hatch indicates to me the temps where a low and they are slow developing.

Hang in there and see what happens over the next couple of days.

 

[billyroo]

thanks

lyon model tx6 dome type with fan

dry bulb 100F
wet 86 F

as per instructions till day 18

added hum on day 19

instructions state that more hum can produce a "late"

hatch??

Bill

 

[hiddenmagnolia]

I have to agree with MP. Most slow development is caused by temperatures being to low. Sound like you are doing a very interesting project. Would ask for pic but that would probably gross some people out.

 

[Cuban Longtails]

Is it possible your thermometer was reading incorrectly? It may have been off a few degrees which slowed the growth rate of your clutch.

 

[tataharris]

That is a really neat way to show egg development.... I teach 2nd grade and use incubation to experience the life cycle of chickens... Hmmmmm...

wonder if my kids would be traumatized by opening the eggs at the different stages.... I will have to think on that one....

But I still think that is awesome to do with students.....

 

[billyroo]

I got my information from the local farm exten. office.

(Incubators, handouts, diagrams, development charts.)

All I had to do was find the eggs and that was easy.

I teach in a south east Ohio district (rural) but it is

unbelievable how many kids have NO real idea about

what happens between the hen and the hatching egg.


Chickens just magically appear I guess.


Bill Oh ya I have high school students

 

[championny]

I am on day 24/25 with my last three remaining Delawares and I have some movement and what looks like an attempt to pip. My incubator has been all over the place so I am waiting a few days before I call it a loss. Give them so time and see what happens.

 

[JordanFamily]

I have heard chicks hatching at day 28 from low temps sp hang in there.

 

[srichards]

Hi Bill

Any update on hatching??
I am glad I found this post as I am in 'exactly' the same position as you.. we even started incubation on the same day (02/04)

I last candled on the last day of turning and 7 out of the 12 eggs definatly had good signs of development allbeit they looked a few days under developed??

I am still fingers crossed and hoping they might do something today or tomorrow so we'll see.

Hope you have seen some action?

Scott & Lou