Oh no the hen already started my incubation process

[MariaDiaz]

Hi there,
So I have been trying to do my homework about incubating eggs (I have a mini 7-egg incubator) and I thought I had all my ducks in a row until today! I got my eggs from a local farmer (mixed Auracana game hen) and he told me that they might hatch sooner then 21 because his chickens have already been sitting on them for about a week. They have most likely already started developing correct? This poses a problem for my incubator (adjusting settings, turning and humidity). I candled each one, two of them you can't even see a light through (bigger than the others and brighter white) and the others have a dark mass that takes up about half of the egg (smaller and paler). I put them in our incubator and set it for the 7th day so I have some wiggle room as far as when the eggs need different humidity and to stop turning.

Hoping to get some advice!

 

[Rowsdower]

Hi there,
So I have been trying to do my homework about incubating eggs (I have a mini 7-egg incubator) and I thought I had all my ducks in a row until today! I got my eggs from a local farmer (mixed Auracana game hen) and he told me that they might hatch sooner then 21 because his chickens have already been sitting on them for about a week. They have most likely already started developing correct? This poses a problem for my incubator (adjusting settings, turning and humidity). I candled each one, two of them you can't even see a light through (bigger than the others and brighter white) and the others have a dark mass that takes up about half of the egg (smaller and paler). I put them in our incubator and set it for the 7th day so I have some wiggle room as far as when the eggs need different humidity and to stop turning.

Hoping to get some advice!

For how long were the eggs not under the hen? Do you see movement?

 

[MariaDiaz]

Well he said about a week….just through the candling, it just looks like they might be at different phases I do not see any movement.

 

[Kraftcrazychick]

I think what Rowsdower is asking is how much time passed between the guys hens sitting on the eggs and you incubating them.

 

[MariaDiaz]

sorry I read that wrong. About 30 minutes.

 

[Kraftcrazychick]

I have not incubated before but stalked the BYC on it. I think in general you should be okay. I've seen other threads mention that in nature the broody hen will get up, walk around a bit, drink, eat, poop and return every so often.

 

[MariaDiaz]

Ok that is good to know! Thank you. I think my major concern is adjusting the humidity and rotating schedule on eggs that I have no idea where they are in incubation. I will continue to keep a close eye on them and hope for the best. This is my first ever hatching experience so I was pretty excited when I found someone to give me eggs