Lockdown- how can I tell if they're still alive?

[mothersin2ition]

Today is day 19. Rocking in 1 egg out of 4, yesterday. Today, nothing.
The only thing to mention is that when I put them on lockdown yesterday, I took out the auto turner and fan, and set the eggs on the rack. I added water in the channels. Anyway, the temp dropped and wouldnt come back up for 24 hours when I finally adjusted the temp. So it was at 88 degrees for roughly 24 hours. Did that kill them?

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Ive never had a drop in temp that late but I know earlier in the incubation it probably wouldn't kill them. The drop in temp was because you removed the fan. Changing airflow drastically changes how the thermostat works. http://cmfarm.us/stillair.html

 

[MrsChickendad]

When you add water at lockdown make sure it is warm water, not cold! They are probably okay, but you can candle if you are worried. I don't open the incubator any more than I have to, but if I do, I spray the inside lightly with WARM water to keep the humidity up.

 

[mothersin2ition]

I just wanted to update. Today is day 21 and I have 2 that have hatched out. I did candle on day 19 and could clearly see that 2 were alive and had pipped internally and were moving. I put those two on the right side of the bator.. the other 2 eggs looked to have died, but I kept them on the left side of the bator and got the humidity to about 60-65%- it had spiked up to 85%

On day 20, one of the eggs on the right side pipped and hatched with no problems, followed by one of the ones I thought had died

. But today, the remaining two havent done anything so I think they might be a lost cause, but not sure. I'll keep them going for another few days.
The one thing I did notice is that both chicks that hatched were super wet. I did the dry hatch method this time, but I think that day and a half of 85% humidity really did a number on them. Thinking maybe that other egg that was alive at day 19 drowned

. Next time I will have to make sure it doesnt get over about 60-65%.

Anyway, so I guess to answer my own question, there really isnt any way to tell for sure if a chick is still alive at lockdown, except to just wait and see. One of the ones I thought had died, hatched- and one that I KNOW was alive at lockdown appears to have died.

Thanks for the input to those who replied.
rebelcowboysnb- thanks for the info about the fan. I didnt realize it wreaked so much havoc with the temps but now I will know better.

 

[tuesdays chicks]

There is a float test for unhatched eggs look in the sticky at the top of quail section. It tells you if the eggs are still viable