new to BYC, hatching eggs

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FluffyButt789

FluffyButt789

Songster
Feb 3, 2017
545
401
186
Northwest PA
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Hello all, I've just joined tonight to get some advice on my eggs. I've been a chicken owner for almost a year now and use BYC to answer the millions of questions that I've had over the year so thank you all!!

I am getting so close to the 21st day so the waiting is KILLING me! This is my first time trying to hatch chicks. Of course as a newbie, I've made a few mistakes and I'm hoping that it won't cost me the entire hatch! Here's my story: On Jan 15th to 19th, I put in 9 eggs total. Only 5 were fertile. I labeled my eggs according to the day they were put in (#15 was put in on the 15th, and so on). Now we have #15, #16, #17, and two #19.

They are all in one incubator. Tonight egg #15 and #16 are on "lockdown" where I've moved them to the right side of the incubator on a paper towel for hatching! My issue right now is the humidity. I've had the humidity around 50% the whole time and after reading some more, I wish I did a dry hatch instead. My eggs seem to have a smaller air sac than they should. It looks like they are at day 14 when they're really day 18. So I've been trying to dry out the incubator a bit to increase the air sac in the eggs, but the ones on lockdown need more humidity so..... what do I do?

I have been candling every other night because I can't help myself, and thankfully all are still alive and moving. The two on lockdown have been wobbling the egg so I'm hoping they're ok. I worry too much about shrink wrapped eggs and sticky chicks so I have no idea where to have my humidity level at now. With eggs that are at different stages of development... do you have any advice? Sorry it was a long story, but thank you if you reply!
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Sorry I have never hatched or incubated eggs. There are usually several "Hatch-a-thons going on at BYC. They folks on them have a lot of experience and most likely can answer your questions. Just put "Hatch-a-Thons " in the search box and it will pop up.
 
Welcome to BYC!

Aim to increase your humidity to 65%- I'm sure the other egg will be just fine :)

I normally incubate at 52%, so don't worry about the humidity...... Some people have amazing hatches with dry humidity, whilst others have terrible results- it all just depends on your climate.

Good luck!!!! :fl
 
Hey there, and welcome to Backyard Chickens!!! I am so glad you decided to join our big, happy family! Please make yourself at home and enjoy yourself here! :frow

~Cuz
 
Hi :welcome

Glad you could join us here! Hope your hatch is progressing well :fl Incubating and hatching sure can be stressful and the waiting can be hair pulling! But when you see those chicks emerge from the egg there really is nothing better.

Good luck and enjoy your time here on BYC :frow
 
G’Day from down under FluffyButt789
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Welcome!

As you have already received some great advice I will just wish you the best of luck with the hatch.

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun. Unlike non chicken loving friends, family and colleagues, BYC’ers never tire of stories or pictures that feature our feathered and non feathered friends
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Thanks for the welcome, all!
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Still no pip yet, but tomorrow is day 21 for the oldest egg. Hopefully they'll all hatch over the week. Will keep you updated if they hatch, and will post pictures of fluffy chicks if all goes well!
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