New chicks, they hatched! First time w incubator

[C Siena]

I almost made a number of posts so many times in the past 6 days but decided to search more and read. The member's information and articles are so helpful. I made it through my first time with an incubator (NR360) and learned. I had 22 eggs (6 from a friend 16 our flock). 2 were infertile, 2 quit early, 2 died at the end before hatch and 1 died shortly after hatch BUT we have 15 chicks! Heck I was hoping that at least 6-10 would hatch. We may not have room if all are pullets but that is near impossible. We are hoping/praying for half to be pullets, ok if more. Drum roll... I'm so excited.

 

[HoneyBeeHomestead]

Congratulations on the new chicks! They're so cute! There is always so much to learn when incubating/hatching. 15 is a great number!

 

[C Siena]

Congratulations on the new chicks! They're so cute! There is always so much to learn when incubating/hatching. 15 is a great number!

Thanks. In eating eggs, I noticed that only about 40% were fertilized so I thought 16 eggs = 6-7 chicks. Of our 16 eggs, 13 hatched = 81%. Unfortunately, I have to wait until next year to hatch again.

 

[HoneyBeeHomestead]

Were the 3 that didn't hatch fertilized?

 

[C Siena]

Were the 3 that didn't hatch fertilized?

#1 was not fertilized. #2, I think, quit probably day 7. The 3rd was alive on day 16.75. I opened it today and a chick was in it. I put a teeny tiny hole in the air cell early Sunday morning. There was no more movement but I did it anyway. I am thinking had I candled it and done so on Friday, it may have worked. I didn't think to candle on day 19.5. None were pipped at that time but I was not going to candle all of them that close to hatch. I am very pleased with the amount that hatched especially for my first time with an incubator. In the past, my friend & neighbor loaned me her bantam silkie, who loves to hatch, great mamma. That's how I began with chickens.