Newbie incubating.

[debby07]

I have done one batch previosly with 6 eggs all eggs made it to day 21 and were shaking. None piped so i put them in water and they all sank. When i cracked them open they were all fully formed and yolks gone. Ithink i may have handled them too much during lockdown.

Now i have 4 in all good so far day 19 i havnt handled them since day 18 which was when i last candled them. Onlu openening incubator to top up water.

This is a pic of the incubater im using which i am borrowing. I dont know what its call or its instructions all it has is overflow holes on the side for water. Any one know the instructions for this. I dont want to loose my chicks again.

 

[eggbert420]

Why the heck would you put them in water? A float test is not a good idea. Chickens dont put there eggs in water if they don't hatch in 21 days they just keep sitting on them.

 

[debby07]

It was day 23 and no more shaking so i did the sink test to see if they were alive.

 

[eggbert420]

Don't believe everything you read on the internet.
A better way to tell is to hold the egg to your ear tap on the top gently. Listen for chirping. Or candle and look for movement. Eggs breath though their shell they can't breath under water.

 

[debby07]

I did do all that and used the water as a last resort. I candled them and no movement no internal pip no chirping no rocking for 2 days so did the water test on day 23.

Do you have any advice for me about my incubater or tips for the next couple of days for my new eggs or do you just want to make me feel bad about my last batch...

 

[eggbert420]

Sorry, but if you read your first post it sounded like you put them in water on day 21. If you have water in the incubator and you don't rotate the eggs after day 18 you should be fine. I am assuming you don't know the humidity . It should be around 70% days 18-21 . If they are alive on day 19 I feel you will have a successful hatch.

 

[debby07]

Yes sorry it does a little. I am keeping water filled in incubater and they are in complete lockdown no touching.

Thanks

 

[eggbert420]

Yes sorry it does a little. I am keeping water filled in incubater and they are in complete lockdown no touching.

Thanks