Power Outage for 5 hours -- NEED ADVICE -- PLEASE HELP

[ayschmidt]

Today the power went out when I was gone and I estimated about 5 hours without heat to the incubator. I am hoping they are ok we are on day 17 and I wanted to set them in lock down this evening. Should I candle the eggs I do not want to do anymore damage but I do not want dead eggs in there causing any bacteria to grow on any eggs that may have made it through. Does anyone have any advice or experience with this?

 

[Arielle]

IF the air cell is the correct size you can go to lockdown.

Nothing you can do to change the outcome at this point. You will need to be patient and let nature take its course. OFten the chicks are just delayed a bit. Occassionally they die, sorry, I don't mean to upset you. Usually they are just fine. At this point they make a lot of their own heat.

Candle a couple and if the air cell is correct go ahead with lock down.
If the air cell needs to be larger, delay lockdown until the size of the air celll is right.

You can increase the humidity when you hear a cheep, or on day 19, or day 20. I don't increase the humidity until the air cell is big enough.

 

[cluckerkeeper]

Agreed, nothing to do at this point. I'd bring them up to temp and then sneak a few out and candle. Chances are they are just fine. Good luck

 

[ayschmidt]

Oh I hope so. These are my sons chickens and he is so excited and has been working so hard. I just hate for none of them to hatch.

 

[cluckerkeeper]

Keep us updated

 

[ayschmidt]

I candled them and I had to get rid of a few but the rest all seemed to be moving and doing well. Now I seem to have another problem... it doesn't look like the chicks are as big as they should be going into lock down. Should I wait a day? I have never hatched out white eggs and so I have never had such a good view of whats going on in there.

 

[cluckerkeeper]

If you have the dates correct for lockdown, put them in They will hatch on time no matter if they are a bit small. Sizes vary but if you don't get them to the proper lockdown they'll hatch anyway and not under ideal conditions.

That's great news that you have some after the power outage. Good luck!

 

[ayschmidt]

Ok thank you I was second guessing

putting them into lock down but I will go ahead and raise the humidity tomorrow and cross my fingers that all goes well.

 

[cluckerkeeper]

I will be looking forward to your results. I LOVE hatching

 

[cluckerkeeper]

There are several ways to help eggs when the power goes out. One is to wrap the incubators in blankets, lots of them. Another is to tap into the last of the hot water. Put it into a hot water bottle and place in the incubator.

This helped me in several crucial power outages.