Not sure about laid date - what about lockdown?

[technolaser]

Hi everyone,
As my first try at incubating, I bought 3 Auracana and 3 Olive Egger eggs. The supplier doesn't know whether they were laid on Jul 5 or Jul 8. When should I do a lockdown?
None of my incubator is transparent so I can't see what's happening without opening the top.
Thanks for any advice.

 

[Yardmom]

Lock down and hatch day are determined by the day incubation started. Not the day they were laid.

 

[Yardmom]

Also you can open an incubator to see what is going on. Just not often or for long after the chicks make holes in the shell.

 

[technolaser]

Ahhh, thanks Yardmom. I'll have to go back and ask, but at this stage I'm assuming that he didn't have them in an incubator.

 

[Yardmom]

The seller would not put them in an incubator. One day is when you incubated for 24 hours. After 48 hours 2 days ect.

 

[technolaser]

Would they still be viable 10 days after laying if they weren't in an incubator?

 

[Yardmom]

Would they still be viable 10 days after laying if they weren't in an incubator?

Yes.

 

[Herbs and Eggs]

Yardmom has great answers. In addition, keep in mind that the timing can vary substantially. In our limited experience with chickens and ducks, the length of incubation can very a huge amount. We had one group who's mom was killed by a coyote and the eggs tossed, one of which was found mostly buried the following day in a neighbors flower bed! We borrowed an egg hatcher where we had to hand turn the eggs while working full time. They all started hatching 5 days late. It was 93 hours from the first one hatching to the last of 9 eggs. At one point, we candled the eggs and those looking like their air might be reduced, we carefully took a pin and poked a hole in the air sack area. You don't want to cause bleeding and opening the egg before the chick has the opportunity to mature and resolve the blood vessels in the shell area, can cause bleeding which can be lethal. Knowing what is suppose to happen is very important. But Life happens and sometimes you what to be patient and ready to role with what ever looks to be happening! Best of Luck and Blessings, Techolaser!