Need Help Please

[mattmartin47]

To make a long story short, my dad was bush hogging yesterday and ran over a hen wild turkey, so he got off the tractor and there was a nest with six eggs in it so I went to tsc and bought an incubator. This is the first time I've ever tried to hatch anything. I got the temp. stabalized and put the eggs in and filled the water rings all the way up and read on here where I should not filled them up, so I removed the eggs and poured the water out. Do you think me removing the eggs to pour the water out hurt the eggs they were only out for probably 1 minute. And another question when I turn the eggs should I roll them with my hand or pick them up and turn them. Thanks a lot I hope this don't sound stupid...

 

[ButchGood]

I would post this question in the incubating and hatchig eggs forum. You will probably get a quicker respose. Pretty cool about the turkey eggs, should been very interestig. im not experienced al all with incubating eggs. wish I could be more help

 

[judsenn]

NO you didn't harm them. You should candle them to see how far along gestation they are though. And what kind of bator do you have? I always fill my rings and the humidity generally runs low..but it also depends on where you live as well.

 

[judsenn]

oh and turn them 3-6 times a day, an odd number so the same side doesn't keep sitting overnight. Yes, you can pick them up or roll, personally I pick them up. But definately candle them and let me know what you see.

 

[mattmartin47]

Ok thanks a lot. I'll go ahead and candle them and let you know. Thanks

 

[mattmartin47]

Ok folks I went ahead and candled my eggs today just because I didn't know if they had started the incubation process. I made a homemade candling kit out of a shoe box, and. It a hole a little bigger than a quarter to set the egg in. When I candled the eggs I could see what I assume was the yolk floating or maybe the airsac idk but whatever it was it was about the size of a nickel or quarter. I didn't see any blood vessels at all. So I have no idea if they are good or not. Thank a lot for any input.

 

[mattmartin47]

Any more takers??

 

[CorinneP]

I would try and candle them again in a couple days .. I just about bet the amout of handeling will cause no harm at all.. but make sure you keep up with that humidity it was my biggest problem at first .. Dont let it run dry.. I also have used a brigher bulb to candle my eggs I actually use a low watt energy saving florescent bulb un a heat lamp just makes it easier for me to balance the box and I feel I see more clearly and can spend a shorter period of time messing with them.... I rotate my eggs by picking them up gently and turning them.. I hope you marked one side of the eggs lightly with a pencil then you can measure if your fully rotating them. It is best to keep a small Incubator away from sun light I keep a small towel over my windows ( not the vents I and in a flat spot .. I wish you a lot of Luck ! Very nice of you to try and save them <3

 

[judsenn]

I use a high powered flashlight to candle mine. I candle my eggs by shinning the light through the broad end and I can clearly see the yolk, so that's most definitely what you are probably seeing. You did mention there was only 6 eggs, a hen typically won't persistently lay on her eggs until her entire clutch is out...which is generally about 12+ eggs. So, with that said, I'm pretty sure those eggs are about a week old and hadn't begun the incubation period. Get a piece of paper, put 1-28 days in chronological order, (or just mark on a calendar) so that way you can note which days you are to candle again. This would be day 2 in the incubator right? SO in 5 days (which would be day 7) you could possibly see the vein formation. (Some ppl say you can't, some say you can...personally I could see mine at day 7) Then you'll want to candle again at day 14. Day 14 will be able to tell you which ones are still good a nd growing or which ones have stopped and gone bad...blood rings. SO i guess, keep doing what you are doing, turn at least 3 times a day, then candle again in 5 days. Oh and yes, humidity is important, you can either make a wet bulb, or go to Wal Mart and by a hygrometer..it's a digital thermometer that also tells you the humidity, I paid like $10 for mine. I'd really invest in it though! Good luck.

 

[mattmartin47]

Ok thanks a lot folks!! I'll keep you up to date