Simulated Natural Nest Incubation~Experiment #1 So it begins....

[ChocolateMouse]

Bee, that sounds like dead during incubation in the first few days of what would be normal development. Fat Cochin is probably doing his job just fine, but the temps of the eggs were probably off.

I seem to recall reading that in most DIY incubators they go for a slightly high internal egg temp at the top, and a lower one at the bottom. So an internal egg temp at the top of like 101 and a little lower at the bottom. That is why still air incubators run at a higher temp (101ish) than fan incubators that keep the whole incubater one exact temperature. So I think you are on the right path for Test Nest #2!

 

[Beekissed]

Bee, that sounds like dead during incubation in the first few days of what would be normal development. Fat Cochin is probably doing his job just fine, but the temps of the eggs were probably off.

I seem to recall reading that in most DIY incubators they go for a slightly high internal egg temp at the top, and a lower one at the bottom. So an internal egg temp at the top of like 101 and a little lower at the bottom. That is why still air incubators run at a higher temp (101ish) than fan incubators that keep the whole incubater one exact temperature. So I think you are on the right path for Test Nest #2!

We can only hope! I had a spike in temps the first day and was wondering how hot is too hot to kill a fertilized egg?

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Depends on the duration of the spike. 104 will kill an egg if it is that temp for 1-2 days, some people have had eggs hatch from short (less than an hour) spikes up to 115. It is all about the internal egg temp, really. 103-4* inside the eggs is supposed to kill them and how fast that effects your eggs depends on things like eggs size, shell thickness, how developed the chick inside the eggs is, etc.

 

[Beekissed]

We'll have to wait and see then...I don't know how long the temp was like that but not more a couple of hours or more and it was internal temps of 108.0. I'm guessing that would be a real yolk cooker....

 

[ronott1]

Did my last candling of the first nest last night and could see no changes whatsoever, three days after having the correct inner egg temps in the nest. I cracked them all this morning and there was absolutely nothing in there but hot, runny yolks. I'm not experienced enough in incubation to know if that merely means the eggs are not fertilized or if they were killed during the incubation process. I have a hard time believing that not one of the 18 eggs sampled were fertilized....I see this guy breeding and I see the bull's eye in the yolks in the skillet in the mornings, so I'm thinking at least some of them should have been fertile.

That leaves the option that they were killed in the incubation process, which is highly likely in light of my inexperience.

You start seeing things within three days when you crack them open.

either the temps were way off or the eggs were not fertile.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Bee, yep that sure would cook an embryo! :| Was your thermometer in a water wiggler? Is would suck to loose another batch of eggs... This is why so many people like the lamps because they don't fluctuate in temperature if the ambient temperature holds pretty steady as much as many heating pads do.

I actually wanna try my own version of this experiment... But with a heat lamp and a small towel instead of a heat pad... Down in my basement where it's kinds chilly but the temps don't fluctuate much (or fast).

 

[Beekissed]

Bee, yep that sure would cook an embryo! :| Was your thermometer in a water wiggler? Is would suck to loose another batch of eggs... This is why so many people like the lamps because they don't fluctuate in temperature if the ambient temperature holds pretty steady as much as many heating pads do.

I actually wanna try my own version of this experiment... But with a heat lamp and a small towel instead of a heat pad... Down in my basement where it's kinds chilly but the temps don't fluctuate much (or fast).

Sure was and it was my fault. I got impatient to bring temps up to cruising mode and left the pad on high and with a weight on the pad and then I forgot I left it that way and went to town. I'm just not good at this whole minding the hatch thingy. My mind is not geared towards it.

I'm currently gathering eggs in case I have to start all over. I know this has potential and potential to be a stable method if I just learn how to use it. I have to be more cautious about bringing the nest up to the correct heat before setting the eggs there...I just get impatient and one cannot be impatient to be a "broody".

 

[CindaLouWho]

This is sooooooo cool! I'm learning so much from this thread. Thank you!

 

[JeannieSouza]

Seems like allot of work to me... when you have the best incubator you can get with your hens.. plus.. they will protect.. and teach them the ends and outs of the chicken yard... what to eat.. and not eat...

Also.. the hens will turn the egg as needed...

 

[Beekissed]

Seems like allot of work to me... when you have the best incubator you can get with your hens.. plus.. they will protect.. and teach them the ends and outs of the chicken yard... what to eat.. and not eat...

Also.. the hens will turn the egg as needed...

If you have a broody hen handy. Which I don't.