Still no chicks

[Mellysandwich]

So, it's day 21 -supposedly hatch day and I'm not seeing any movements from my eggs or hearing anything from them either. I have had my incubator on lockdown since day 18. The temperature has been reading at 102 degrees and the humidity has been 70% since lockdown. Due to the higher temperature I thought they would hatch may be early or for sure on time. I don't really want to put the eggs in any water. other than waiting is there any way to tell if my eggs are going to hatch? Also, when should I start taking eggs out in disposing of them?

 

[MillersFarm]

70% Humidity is very high, I'd go no higher than 50% (Although that's my opinion)
102 is pretty high as well 99.5 is what it should be at.. Have you candled them at all?

@WVduckchick Knows lots more than I do about incubating..

 

[besorto]

Chicks tend to hatch whenever they see fit. I've had chicks hatch at up to day 24 lol. Just be patient, and maybe lower your temperature a bit. 102 degrees is pretty high.

 

[WVduckchick]

Temp depends on what type incubator. With a fan, 99-100 is best, but if it doesn't have a fan, 101-102 is better.

I'd also like to know if you candled and how the air cells were progressing along the way.

If you were trusting the incubator's readings without independently tested thermometer and hygrometer, that could be a problem.

If there are no pips, I'd candle some of them now. Look for movement inside, possible internal pips, and for the air cell to be "drawn down" -- it gets misshapen as the chick gets into hatching position.

This is what drawdown looks like.

 

[WVduckchick]

I don't really want to put the eggs in any water.

And good, please don't put them in water

 

[Mellysandwich]

It's a still air incu

Temp depends on what type incubator. With a fan, 99-100 is best, but if it doesn't have a fan, 101-102 is better.

I'd also like to know if you candled and how the air cells were progressing along the way.

If you were trusting the incubator's readings without independently tested thermometer and hygrometer, that could be a problem.

If there are no pips, I'd candle some of them now. Look for movement inside, possible internal pips, and for the air cell to be "drawn down" -- it gets misshapen as the chick gets into hatching position.

This is what drawdown looks like.
View attachment 1673147

It's a still air incubator. I never tested it against another thermometer until today. It is however accurate. as far as the air pockets are concerned this is my first time hatching chicks so I don't know how big those were supposed to be and I don't remember how big they were.

Is candling them right now and reducing the humidity within the incubator going to hurt the chicks? I've been trying to just be patient and leave them alone.

 

[WVduckchick]

It's a still air incu


It's a still air incubator. I never tested it against another thermometer until today. It is however accurate. as far as the air pockets are concerned this is my first time hatching chicks so I don't know how big those were supposed to be and I don't remember how big they were.

Is candling them right now and reducing the humidity within the incubator going to hurt the chicks? I've been trying to just be patient and leave them alone.

Its fine to just be patient and wait!! We often get too anxious, so if you want to wait it out, they should be fine for a few more days before it would be advisable to give up hope.

But, if you want to quickly pull an egg or two out to candle, and quickly (carefully!) close the lid, you shouldn't lose too much humidity to bother much. Totally up to you.

If you don't candle, do be sure and smell the incubator often for foul odors. You don't want any to explode at this point, so let your nose guide you on that!

 

[Mellysandwich]

Its fine to just be patient and wait!! We often get too anxious, so if you want to wait it out, they should be fine for a few more days before it would be advisable to give up hope.



But, if you want to quickly pull an egg or two out to candle, and quickly (carefully!) close the lid, you shouldn't lose too much humidity to bother much. Totally up to you.

If you don't candle, do be sure and smell the incubator often for foul odors. You don't want any to explode at this point, so let your nose guide you on that!

Good plan! I will certainly give a little sniff. Thank you for the advice!