May hatch-a-long

[CB3fish]

I have incubated 23 eggs on April 24-20118. They are turned 2 times a day. I sing to them when I am turning them over and talk to them. I pray for them daily as they are turned that God will bless them as they grow with health. The humidity and temp are monitored daily. 6 eggs are Heritage barred rocks. Hoping for hens. The rest are mixed some are Rhode Island reds.It will be interesting. I grew up on a farm; my folks had many chickens and used an incubator and had broody hens as well. However this is my first attempt at hatching eggs. Any suggestions???

 

[CB3fish]

Many years ago, my father warned me not to help the baby chicks out of the Eggs, they need to struggle to get their systems running. I did help a few and all died. Soooo it would seem the wisdom is let them struggle. some do not make it, sadly but helping them might not be the best move.

 

[The Farmers' Daughter]

I have incubated 23 eggs on April 24-20118. They are turned 2 times a day. I sing to them when I am turning them over and talk to them. I pray for them daily as they are turned that God will bless them as they grow with health. The humidity and temp are monitored daily. 6 eggs are Heritage barred rocks. Hoping for hens. The rest are mixed some are Rhode Island reds.It will be interesting. I grew up on a farm; my folks had many chickens and used an incubator and had broody hens as well. However this is my first attempt at hatching eggs. Any suggestions???

The only suggestion I can think of is to turn the eggs an odd number of times each day. I've heard that the recommended # is 3 or 5.

 

[HenniesInMyHeart]

Coming up on day 23-24...no pip. I did the water test and the float level is good for a viable chick but they didn't rock in there. I guess I am going to need to make a hole in the top and see what I can see...so nervous about it!

 

[The Farmers' Daughter]

Coming up on day 23-24...no pip. I did the water test and the float level is good for a viable chick but they didn't rock in there. I guess I am going to need to make a hole in the top and see what I can see...so nervous about it!

Is this with all of your eggs?

 

[HenniesInMyHeart]

Is this with all of your eggs?

I just have the one in lockdown. I will be devastated if this one doesn't make it! :'(

 

[The Farmers' Daughter]

I just have the one in lockdown. I will be devastated if this one doesn't make it! :'(

You'll just have to try again sadly.
I'm on my 3rd incubation. Completely lost the first 2 batches.

 

[HenniesInMyHeart]

You'll just have to try again sadly.
I'm on my 3rd incubation. Completely lost the first 2 batches.

Oh no! I am so sorry! Been there done that, it's devastating. Fortunately, I have 3 more sets of eggs in 'bators! My next batch is 6 English Jubilees (developing beautifully so far!), due on 5/11!

 

[HenniesInMyHeart]

OK I had the egg upright because of bad saddling of the air cell, but I decided to lay it on its side to see what happens. It's rocking so the chick is okay in there!

 

[Mraya]

Many years ago, my father warned me not to help the baby chicks out of the Eggs, they need to struggle to get their systems running. I did help a few and all died. Soooo it would seem the wisdom is let them struggle. some do not make it, sadly but helping them might not be the best move.

If my incubator is working perfectly and my humidity is perfect and my temp is perfect then yes let them struggle their way out. I don't know about anyone else but that has never happen with me. So to let a healthy chick die because of a mistake I did.....I help.
I also correct when I should not have helped. In the hundreds of eggs I have incubated I have only had to do that twice.