single egg in incubator. questions???

[junior67]

Long story short. I started with 11 eggs. put 5 in the incubator, 6 under my broody. I only have 1 in the incubator still developing, and 2 under my broody. I would really like to see one hatch and also have my girls see it. Would it be ok to leave the single egg in the incubator till it hatches and dries off then put it with the broody (the eggs were all set at the same time). Do I need to do anything special with just 1 egg in the incubator? I still have 2 quitters in there but think I may have smelled something today so want to take them out so they don't kill the ONE that is still going......... but don't want to throw temp and humidity off at all. I have fake wooden eggs that I can add to the incubator but not sure they would help anything. I have read ceramic ones can be used but I don't have any.

Oh the eggs are on day 14.

 

[21hens-incharge]

With a week to go I would take the bad eggs out and candle them to be certain they are bad.

The broody should accept the lone chick if it hatches.

I am no expert in incubators at all but do not think a fake egg in there adds any value.

I am sure others will be along soon and able to give more detailed advice.

 

[junior67]

With a week to go I would take the bad eggs out and candle them to be certain they are bad.

The broody should accept the lone chick if it hatches.

I am no expert in incubators at all but do not think a fake egg in there adds any value.

I am sure others will be along soon and able to give more detailed advice.

thanks. The bad eggs were definitely bad. I did take them out. I am just hoping temp and humidity stay decent with only 1 in there.

 

[Tonyroo]

Just monitor the readings, should be fine. Don't add fake eggs or anything else in the incubator. You run the risk of adding bacteria in it.

 

[sourland]

Good luck for a successful hatch.

 

[junior67]

Just monitor the readings, should be fine. Don't add fake eggs or anything else in the incubator. You run the risk of adding bacteria in it.

even though one of the eggs was starting to stink it hadn't broken or started weeping or anything so that shouldn't have hurt the viable chick right?

 

[junior67]

Good luck for a successful hatch.

Thanks I need all the luck I can get! This incubation has NOT gone well at all....... tried with my own eggs twice and even though there was mating they weren't fertilized. Trimmed butt fluff and with in about 5 days the one whose eggs I want to hatch went broody and she stopped laying so only had 3 eggs from her to try. So won shipped eggs of the same breed on ebay. got 12. 4 were broken... so set 11 eggs. Then only 5 of those 11 did anything and only 1 was from my hen her other 2 were clears. then 1 quit early I am guessing but it was hard to tell until recently. and 1 quit I think around day 10 (the one from my hen) so now down to 3 that were going strong as of yesterday. REALLY hoping I can get all 3 to hatch!

 

[Iluveggers]

I am sending positive hatch vibes also!

 

[Tonyroo]

even though one of the eggs was starting to stink it hadn't broken or started weeping or anything so that shouldn't have hurt the viable chick right?

Bacteria starts on outside of the shell and infiltrate inside. If you haven't sanitized your hands while messing with incubator chances are probable for contamination.

If that's the case, put some hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle and fine mist the inside of the incubator. Two shot of mist is enough.

 

[junior67]

I am sending positive hatch vibes also!

Thanks! It has been interesting for sure! LOL depending on what colors/sexes I get with this group (and what hatches) I am debating on once my hen starts laying again trimming butt fluff again and trying again with just her eggs and hoping for better results. thinking the trimming worked since I did have the 1 fertilized egg that started and of course it was the one she laid the day she decided to go broody so her last one.......