Lockdown screw up...

[hysop]

You have to use whatever works for you in your location.

I incubate guinea eggs with the humidity between 30% to 35% and have it at 65% to 70% when they are in lockdown in the hatcher.

But is 100*F the right temp? Or does it have to be the same as chickens at 99.5*F? And will it be the same throughout the entire incubation period?

Thank you so much.

 

[sunnie7]

While I’m following your hatching experience. What temperature and humidity did you have them in?

I read an article here on BYC that recommended 100*F and 30-45% humidity then on lockdown increase humidity to 75%.

But on google there is different information on how to hatch guineas so I’m like ugh which one do I follow?!?!

I used an old little giant styrofoam incubator with a fan that my friend handed down to us. My first hatch of chicks 4 weeks ago I hatched 20/30. This time around with the guineas I put in 22 eggs (from my guineas) 21 were fertile one was an early quitter. I only filled the middle water chamber until lock down and kept my temp at 99.5 (this varies some because of the crappy incubator but I’ve learned to just leave it!) humidity stayed around 35% until lock down then I filled all 3 chambers and put a half of a sponge in and kept it around 65% and as they start hatching it has increased some to around 70%. I used a big 60ml strong and tubing to add water as a need to without opening. Perk of working in a hospital right now! However with this hatch and me assisting the one today I’ve opened the incubator 5 times and it’s been OKAY! My humidity only dropped a little bit it came right back up.

 

[sunnie7]

But is 100*F the right temp? Or does it have to be the same as chickens at 99.5*F? And will it be the same throughout the entire incubation period?

Thank you so much.

For me 1 degree variance doesn’t matter too much! I aim for 99.5 but I don’t freak out if it’s 100.2 or 99.0! I also hand turn 3xs a day and I love the eggs around when I do because I know the temp varies in my incubator.

 

[R2elk]

But is 100*F the right temp? Or does it have to be the same as chickens at 99.5*F? And will it be the same throughout the entire incubation period?

Thank you so much.

Most of the incubator manufacturers are recommending 100°F. There isn't enough difference between 99.5°F and 100°F to matter especially since most of the manufacturers don't have thermostats that accurate.

 

[hysop]

Cool. Thank you both. I’ll stick with 99.5 F then.

And wow using a little giant and still doing well is amazing. I had one once but it went berserk so I exchanged it for a nurture right 360.

Super excited to get started next week.

 

[sunnie7]

@R2elk it’s eyes are open and it’s trying to move all over the place but it’s really struggling to get up right and it’s toes are curled and neck is a little weird. It at first coildntnharld hold it up at all but it’s trying more now it just looks a little odd/ crooked maybe. Does it just need time or should I take it out of a minute and try to give it some vitamin water with a syringe?!

 

[R2elk]

@R2elk it’s eyes are open and it’s trying to move all over the place but it’s really struggling to get up right and it’s toes are curled and neck is a little weird. It at first coildntnharld hold it up at all but it’s trying more now it just looks a little odd/ crooked maybe. Does it just need time or should I take it out of a minute and try to give it some vitamin water with a syringe?!

It needs time. Its condition is normal for how long it was stuck in position in that egg. Let it have a full 24 hours before trying some vitamin water. Don't be surprised if it doesn't make it more than a few days. It had an extremely traumatic hatch that completely wore it out.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Its out...didn’t run into any blood vessels or yolk. It does seem very weak. Maybe it was not positioned right? Thank you all sooooo much.

So far 13/20 have hatched.

View attachment 2135001View attachment 2135002

Great job getting that little guy out! It may or may not make it, but it certainly would have died without your help!

 

[sunnie7]

Great job getting that little guy out! It may or may not make it, but it certainly would have does without your help!

It was an experience that’s for sure. During my first hatch I said I’m not going to assist if they are meant to be they will hatch. However I know this one pipped well over a day ago and I could see it in there still moving and trying, I had to.

I still have 7 unhatched but today is only day 26 so I’m really hoping to wake up to several more! I only see one of the 7 pipped as of now.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

But is 100*F the right temp? Or does it have to be the same as chickens at 99.5*F? And will it be the same throughout the entire incubation period?

Thank you so much.

I haven’t done guineas yet this year, though I’m collecting eggs to incubate now. I aim for 99.5 for both guineas and chicks. I try to adjust the incubator to get the ideal hatching time of 21 days for chickens, rather than only following the calibrated external temperature gauge. So, last year I had the incubator at a mean of 98.8-99.5 F and still had guineas hatching at 26 days. So, that’s what I plan to do this year as well. I aim for chickens to be at 30 (25-35)% humidity for incubation, and guineas about 10% higher. At lockdown, I aim for the same for both, about 60-70%. I have a styrofoam digital hovobator with a turner - that setup worked great for guineas last year.