Rolling Eggs

[renovationmom]

I have raised Silkies for 5 years now. Started off as pets and fresh eggs. Then I let my hens hatch a few eggs on their own. Now, I bought my first starter incubator, a LG still air, manuel egg turning. I did my research, most from this forum.

I placed a modest batch of 17 eggs into the incubator. I carefully marked in pencil the x and o and set my eggs on the wire mesh suppied, giving ample space. I monitered Temp. & Humidity. Went into"lockdown" 3 days prior to hatch.

Now, Yesterday, on schedule, my eggs are hatching. Problem is-the little guys are running all over the incubator, eggs are rolling everywhere!

I read to keep them in there 24 hours before moving to the brooder, they have been peeping non stop and get very excited when you look in at them, stretching their necks up and flapping their wings.

My question is, can the unhatched eggs remain in the incubator, touching each other, and being rolled around without harm? 7 have hatched, 5 are starting to hatch(can see shells being chipped away) and the other 5 has not shown activity-yet. There is lots of peeping going on, even from the unhatched eggs.

One more question, please. How long should I wait before giving up on an egg to hatch?

I have learned much from reading this forum, I also enjoy the chicken pictures and stories here. I look forward to any help anyone can offer, and thank you in advance.

 

[chickintexas]

Ah...egg bowling! LOL!
Personally, I take my chicks out of the bator as soon as they are dry. I quickly reach in, grab a chick, and plunk it into the brooder. I have never waited 24 hours. The eggs will be fine touching each other. They're touching each other when they are under a broody hen.

I'll wait about 24 hours after my last chick hatches and then do an egg-topsy on the unhatched ones. I've never come across an unhatched egg after that time period that was still viable.

Good luck on your hatch!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'm going to disagree. Chicks can live off of the absorbed yolk for three days or more after they hatch. That's why a hen hatching them can wait until the late eggs hatch before she has to take them off the nest to find them food and water. That is also why they can be shipped in the mail after they hatch.

After an egg has pipped the membrane in the egg can dry out and shrink-wrap the chick in the shell, keeping it from hatching, if the humidity drops. I've done that. It is not a good feeling to know you did that to a chick.

This does not mean that it happens each and every time you open the incubator during lockdown. Sometimes it does not happen, but sometimes it does. I recommend leaving the incubator closed during the hatch.

As far as them rolling around, I call it rugby instead of bowling. I've had plenty hatch after they have been rolled all over the place. I personally don't worry about it.

 

[al6517]

The egg's will be fine getting jostled around and the comotion does help them hatch. The whole lockdown shrink wrap thing is a farce mainly used for those newby's who hatch from those styrofaom box thing's, If you have a real incubator it's a mute point and not an issue.

AL

 

[chickintexas]

Quote:
I've never seen a shrink wrapped chick. Heard plenty about them but never seen one. There's a video on Youtube of a chick hatching and it's not even in an incubator. It's on the carpet hatching and it hatches out just fine.

 

[al6517]

Quote:
I've never seen a shrink wrapped chick. Heard plenty about them but never seen one. There's a video on Youtube of a chick hatching and it's not even in an incubator. It's on the carpet hatching and it hatches out just fine.

LOL I know they Chicks) can be very flexible with how they hatch, The whole lockdown shrink wrap thing is like a cult or something. The truth is Styro bators are infamous for their inadequate ability and the operator's very limited knowledge and the lovely internet to fuel the cult.

What about that one time awhile back where a woman tried an experiment and hatched some chicks in her Bra, I heard she did actually hatch some.

AL

 

[Ridgerunner]

The guidelines are just that, guidelines. Following them does not guarantee absolute success nor does violating them guarantee absolute failure. They are intended to improve your odds of success, not guarantee anything. Many of us violate some of the guidelines and do OK. When I opened the incubator I only shrink-wrapped one. The rest were fine.

The guidelines are intended to cover everyone on this forum, not just those with professional grade equipment and a lot of experience. Many of the members of this forum, especially those that are asking questions, don't have a lot of experience. Many have less expensive equipment or homemade equipment. The guidelines are there to improve the odds of success no matter what equipment they have.

 

[renovationmom]

Thank You all for your reply's. I certainly feel better knowing the unhatched eggs will not be harmed during all the sporting events taking place. I never gave much thought to what when on while the Mama Hens hatched their eggs, I just enjoyed the little balls of fluff when they emerged from the nest box. I am happy I started incubating, both myself and my 5 year old have learned so much. As my confindence, flock and budget builds, I plan on expanding my coop, brooding space and purchasing a better incubater. Thank You all again!

 

[al6517]

Quote:
That all sounds great, I can't think of a better way to have good clean fun with your kid's and learn something along the way.

AL

 

[ericsplls]

I open my little mini advance to pull out empty eggshell while others are waiting to hatch. I try not to do it if there is one pipped but If there is condensation all over the place I wouldn't expect anything to shrink wrap.