NEED ADVICE PLEASE!! (first hatch questions)

[mama4]

I am on day 23/24 of my very first hatch with a mix of heritage breed chicken eggs. I have them in a Hova-Bator 2362N. I feel as though I followed the protocol fairly consistently although there were a few days sporadically where the eggs were only turned once and perhaps a day or two where the water dried up but the temperature was kept fairly consistent throughout the 21 days. They have been on lock down since day 18 with exception to a few minutes ago when I did the float test -- I was expecting the worst!! All 12 eggs surprisingly proved to be viable with only 10-15% of the eggs exposed while floating (although I am unsure if there was any movement... there might of been slight 'bobs' but maybe just wishful thinking...). SO NOW WHAT!!!??? I am obsessively looking at them through the window to see any signs of hatching hoping it happens any moment. I need words of wisdom, encouragement, advice -- anything to help. Maybe there is something I have missed? I have scoured the threads here and have learned a lot but I am still stumped about my babies. Thanks for anything offered

 

[btguy]

Be patient, if they are still good the worst thing you can do now is let them get too cool or dry. This is the point where I just put food and water in and then either go to bed or find some work to do so I'm not tempted. Considering the incubation time you should probably get a couple of extra thermometers and next time place one on the rack, one in a corner, and one on top of the eggs. This will help you figure out if the temp is wrong in some places. A long incubation tends to mean cool temps.

 

[mama4]

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I agree that a better thermometer/hydrometer system is needed. I am just using the thermometer that came with the bator -- which I have learned can be quite inaccurate...

After the float test I candled the lighter coloured eggs and found that most of them looked like they should (large dark area with an air sack on one end -- although I am definitely new at this so am learning as I go) although there was one that definitely looked underdeveloped. I decided to open that one up and there was a very small fetus along with the yolk. Now I am confused! Why would that one float like the others? I am trying to stay positive but I just have this heavy feeling that they somehow have died late. And I really have no idea why!!? I never expected incubating to be so stressful...

I will (mostly) patiently wait it out for a few more days. What else is there to do? I am hoping my first hatch rate is not 0%. Feeling a little humbled and don't want to have to wait another 21 days (or more) for chicks!

 

[silkienrescues]

oh im so sorry its very distressing just not knowing if the are ok. Did they move when you candled? The aircell seemed to grow larger down one side just before the pip day on mine, I think thats what should happen, but best wait for someone more experienced to confirm.

good luck

 

[btguy]

Did any hatch?