November 2016 Hatch-a-long!!

[theceltichorse]

Thank you Chickygirl7! I had planned on raising the humidity to 65% once on lock-down. I won't panic if it is above that now!

Now, to get my brooder figured out and then a coop!

 

[Faraday40]

Hi all! My name is Marcell and I am in Lacey WA. I had 8 eggs that I started 15 days ago- one egg that had a blood ring when I candled last evening (day 14). This is the same egg, that when I candled on day 7 I was pretty sure wasn't violable. Keeping my fingers crossed that the remaining 7 all hatch healthy!

I measured the air cell on day 7. Again on day 14. It has grown, but not sure if enough. I am leaving the humidity alone right now and will re-measure air cell on day 18.

Would love to hear advice etc. on what to expect this last week- I am on pins and needles!!!

I just go by the above pic. I adjust humidity only if the eggs seem to be progressing too fast or too slow. For me about 30% humidity for 18 days & then 65% until hatch. Some people weigh their eggs at candling to monitor progress.

"Lockdown" is on day 18. Basically, stop turning & increase humidity by adding water. I like to predict pip location by marking an X at the lowest point of the air cell. Place the egg on side with the X upward. I tend to get temp changes when I increase the humidity, so best to do it when you'll be at home for a couple hours. (Not good to do before going to bed b/c you'll be checking every hour. LOL) If you need to increase humidity even more, water soaked sponges or feminine pads work well.

 

[theceltichorse]

Thank you Faraday40! The air cells have grown, but maybe not quite as much as the graphic you provided. I'm letting the humidity stay lower in the hopes that between now and day 18, when they go to lock down, the air cell will have grown a bit (although not to much!). I have the Farm Innovator 4250 incubator with auto turner. I will remove the turner and place something under the screen so that the eggs are at the same elevation as when in the turner.

Should I add a chucks/puppy pad under the eggs when they go in lock down? Ugh... So nerve wracking!

 

[FridayYet]

Thank you Faraday40! The air cells have grown, but maybe not quite as much as the graphic you provided. I'm letting the humidity stay lower in the hopes that between now and day 18, when they go to lock down, the air cell will have grown a bit (although not to much!). I have the Farm Innovator 4250 incubator with auto turner. I will remove the turner and place something under the screen so that the eggs are at the same elevation as when in the turner.

Should I add a chucks/puppy pad under the eggs when they go in lock down? Ugh... So nerve wracking!

Also, if the air cells haven't grown enough, you can always raise the humidity a day later. (Day 19) Or at first pip.

I think airflow is important, so I use the perforated shelf liner under the eggs so the new chicks can have a good walking surface. The dollar stores usually carry it, and you can pop it in the washing machine afterwards. I wouldn't use chux.

 

[theceltichorse]

These are my eggs with air cells marked.

 

[theceltichorse]

Thank you FridayYet. I so appreciate everyone here on BYC for their quick responses and helpfulness!

 

[FridayYet]

Thank you FridayYet. I so appreciate everyone here on BYC for their quick responses and helpfulness!

You're welcome! I think your eggs are looking pretty good and hope they continue to do well!

 

[Faraday40]

I also use the shelf liner. I like the grippy surface to avoid leg issues & lets egg goo slip down & away from chicks.

To be able to track which eggs hatched, I'm trying the cut egg carton trick for this hatch.

Got an "early bird!"
+ about 5 pips

 

[Faraday40]

And, here are some pics of yesterday's quail hatch.

 

[FridayYet]

So cute Faraday! Congrats on the early bird!