Please tell me there's hope! Broken broody, 5 days til hatch

[Carli]

I can't believe I broke the broody today. I just moved her a little to put new shavings in her box and now she's been out for a few hours. I tried getting her back in but she's MAD. I ran up to a friend's to grab her incubator. Someone went in and laid an egg while I was gone so when I went to get the eggs, they were warm. I just put them into the incubator but they were not sat on for probably an hour and a half give or take. Please tell me there's hope! I've never used a 'bator before. I never planned to. I'm supposed to candle them tomorrow and hatch on Wednesday. Now what do I do?

 

[midget_farms]

where are you located? was it very cold outside? I'm hoping you are in southern california.

If they got really cold - its probably too late - but don't give up hope. Chicks in the shell are much better at taking cold than hot.

I had a similar issue with 3 days to go - it was 20* outside but they were out there a good 8 or 9 hrs before I found them. none made it

 

[Carli]

I'm in WA but it's about 50 degrees here today. They were only left unattended for about 1.5 hours. And like I said, another hen laid in their while I was gone so they got warmth from that.

I just watched a video on you tube about the Little Giant 9200 Incubator. It said heat the thing for several hours before adding eggs. Ack! I set them in their anyway and it's heating up now. I am so clueless about this. I've read a little here and there but I've read more on the hen hatching them out herself.

 

[Carli]

I'm going to continue adding question as I read along...

I'm on a page now that's talking about humidity. Is humidity THAT important that I need to rush out and buy a hygrometer? It was really humid in the coop...we live in the rainy state. I added water to the 'bator.

Is it reallllllllly bad that I didn't have time to have the 'bator running for several hours? The temp is already up to 99.5.

 

[debilorrah]

DOn;t worry about the hygrometer at this point. Just make sure the water wells are filled for the last three days.

 

[Carli]

Quote:
Oh thank you! What a relief! I just candled them really quickly since I was supposed to do it tomorrow and they're all in there for sure! I so hope this works out.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Oh thank you! What a relief! I just candled them really quickly since I was supposed to do it tomorrow and they're all in there for sure! I so hope this works out.

Make sure there is some moisture in there, and bump it up the last three days. I bet they hatch just fine.

 

[midget_farms]

i'd bet you are OK. not that cold. they can handle that king of cold!