Setting Eggs on the 30th in Springfield, IL

[ggarratt]

I woke up this morning to a chick running around in the incubator and the dogs and cat all standing around it staring. Apparently they're as surprised as I am! So far I can't see any pips in any of the other eggs and can't hear any chirping except for the one chick that's out... but I'm hoping for more action as the day continues! Luckily it's supposed to snow like crazy here so I get to stay home and watch chicks hatch!

 

[rsf31tmp]

how many did you set and what day is it?

I cleared mine out as it was not smelling too good. So I ended up with 12 the 9 black and 3 yellow.

Going to make some changes when I set again around March 8-9...or so

 

[ggarratt]

I originally set 23 eggs. 22 were fertile. 15 made it to lockdown. Then the fan went out during the night and they got cold... and so far one has hatched! I'm at the end of day 22 about to start day 23. I'm definitely going to leave the rest in there for as long as possible to give them a chance to hatch. The one chick gives me hope!

I'm already planning for some changes for the next batch. My humidity seems good... the one chick had no problem getting out and seemed to have no issues with it's membrane. But I think I'm going to up the temp by a little bit for the next one. The woman who sold me the incubator suggested setting it at 100.3 for a good hatch, but I figured I better try it at factory settings first just to see.

I have some eggs coming by mail in the next few days, so it won't be long before I set again!

 

[ggarratt]

I see another pip

I was so worried that I was going to get just one!

 

[ggarratt]

I'm up to two hatched and another one pipped. We're off to bed now and I'm hoping that I'll have an incubator filled with chicks in the morning!

 

[rsf31tmp]

here is to hoping that you are filled with chicks in the morning!

 

[ggarratt]

Not filled with chicks. But lots of eggs with pips. I'm a bit worried about how long it's taking some of them to get out. One of them pipped around 6 last night and hasn't made much progress since then. There are two more pipped, one of which is making noticeable progress. I definitely think I had a temperature problem beyond just the fan going out on day 19. Today is 24 and I'm just now getting a lot of pips, so I think they'll still be hatching on day 25. I feel bad for the one that hatched on day 22. It will have been in there for awhile. If it starts to look lethargic I'll go into the bathroom with the shower on and take it out of the incubator so I can feed and water it. But I'm hesitant to do that because there are so many pips in there right now.

I'll update you on progress later today!

 

[rsf31tmp]

You should get teh hatched one out and in the brooder. The others will keep coming...my rule is a soon as they are dry and fluffy, we do a two man job of lift and grab, then off to the brooder.

 

[Michigan Transplant]

I agree! Once they are dry put them into another area (brooder) and wait for the others to hatch. Why should the first one suffer waiting for the others. Get it to food and water. Don't forget to post some pictures. We all love to see the little ones even if they aren't ours. CONGRATS!!!!

 

[ggarratt]

Sorry for disappearing! I must have missed the email that said there was a new post. All five chicks that hatched are happy in their brooder. I'll post pictures when I get home from work tonight!