My first hatching experience Sad update page 9

[Tala]

Had a teensy bit of a temp spike tonight but I caught it. I had the door shut to the bedroom while I had some of the TSC chicks at my desk with me, which makes it get a lot more heat (besides keeping the cats out) and I checked the 'bator and saw it creeping up to 102 and the element was still heating. I don't think the eggs actually got too hot though. I noticed before they had time to overheat. It's funny how the room temp flucuation has an effect on the bator, but I guess when you are trying to maintain a really specific temperature it's easy to throw it off. Us humans woulnd't notice a 2-3 degree change, but the eggs would.

I did some candling tonight when I turned - I pulled out the big guns (bigger flashlight) and put on my glasses! lol
I can see through the white eggs and the buff orp eggs, but not the darker brown ones. I can see actual movement in the eggs now, and they seem about half full of yolk and "stuff" but the part that looks like a chick isn't that big yet. I can tell that the green EE eggs are "half full" but I can't see anything specific in them.

 

[Tala]

The temp has somehow become less-stable. It got to running a fuzz high, not bad but I didn't want it to go up any more so I turned it down a fuzz. Surely the eggs aren't putting off heat THIS early are they?? This is um, day 10.
So today I think it's been running a little low. Not bad we're talking 98-99*F instead of 99-101 that I was holding at, but still annoying.

Broodies are underrated. I'd much rather prefer to leave this to mama, but no one was cooperating. Anybody got a Silkie hen? LOL

 

[Shelly_WNC]

so your half way done right? they hatch at 21 days or so?

Looks like you are learning about in this hatching experience, I find this information very interesting. Thanks again for sharing , I am watching this post til the end when the babies hatch.

 

[fordmommy]

Just checking in to see how things are going.

 

[Tala]

Tonight I made myself a sort of candler so I won't have to hold the flashlight up and the egg too .... it worked pretty well except that the can gets hot really fast. A taller can would be better I think, but not sure if they even have such a thing. Maybe a smaller lightbulb or a CFL bulb that would be cooler??
Anyways, it's not like it was expensive - I just purchased a ceramic base and 4" box - all the other stuff I had laying around.

and no, I wasn't drinking while doing electrical work. I just have a bad habit of not putting stuff up before bed so it's still out the next day (or three)

 

[Tala]

Tonight I put a CFL bulb in the candle apparatus. It worked pretty OK. I couldn't see through the Maran egg or my dark RSL eggs, but oh well on those.

I could "sorta" see through the green EE eggs, I tossed 2 green eggs dated 2/20 and one Buff Orp egg dated 2/19. I cracked 'em and they were not at all developed (just runny yolk, like an old egg) So the good news is that they looked the same on the inside as they did when I candled. Also none of them were stinky bad yet so I caught 'em before they got "contaminated" A couple of the other EE's I was unsure on, but I couldn't see very well so I put 'em back in the 'bator. Since I hand turn I'll notice if they start to smell.

ALL of my RIRxLeghorn eggs had movement in them! Of course they were FRESH when I put them in the 'bator.
The EE eggs were given to me for free because they were getting old for hatching, so it's not a shocker that some weren't developing.

 

[fordmommy]

 

[Tala]

I tried the green and dark eggs again with my LED Maglight put under the can with a hole in it. I believe that the reason I can't see much in the EE eggs is because there are CHICKS in there! YAY

I was a little worried about my speckled RSL egg, it seems a little "sloshy" when I moved it over the light BUT I swear I saw a vein so I put it back in tha bator just in case. I'd hate to crack out a chick and with such a dark egg I just can't be sure either way.

I can't believe it's only 5 days till lockdown!

I kinda like turning my eggs first thing every morning and last thing before bed. Yep, hatching addict just getting started! lol

 

[Tala]

Day 15 going on 16: I candled every egg tonight (using the CFL bulb that puts out 550 lumens)

I saw distinct movement in probably 16/20 and there was definitely a chick in ALL 20 eggs!!!!!!!!!!

They've made it this far so I have high hopes for them!!!!!!!!!

The main hurdle now I guess will be the actual HATCH

 

[pdsavage]

Sounds great for first time hatch,my first 3 hatches almost made me give up.
But now im running 2 bators and so glad I didn't give up.
Can't wait to see the pics when they hatch.