Tell me about candling on day 7?

[flipflops]

I feel like some of the air cells are a little bigger than they should be? What am I doing wrong?

 

[Peeps61]

I feel like some of the air cells are a little bigger than they should be? What am I doing wrong?

 

[WVduckchick]

I feel like some of the air cells are a little bigger than they should be? What am I doing wrong?

Some eggs lose moisture more quickly than others. You can gradually increase humidity and slow them down. Don't bump it too quickly at one time. Add a small sponge, then tomorrow add another...etc

 

[oregonkat]

I feel like some of the air cells are a little bigger than they should be? What am I doing wrong?

Nothing. Your air cell looks a little big but not bad. Shipped eggs are notorious for having air cells that have pulled the membrane down during shipping. They get so bashed about. Just make sure that your humidity is around 40-45% and your temp nice and stable at 99.5 for forced air and 101-102 (I think) for one without air circulation. Dont mess with them too much, this is key with eggs that have a slippery air cell. You can candle at 14 days, super gently and mark the air cells again to show progress. Again, if they are too big, increase humidity again. It is kind of hard to tell the correct size when the outline of the aircell is so wonky.

 

[Peeps61]

I tried to post earlier, but my computer went wonky!

I was going to suggest checking the humidity over the concerns about the air cells. I have a Genesis Hovabator, and they recommend 45% to 55% for setting and 65% to 75% for lock down. I didn't quite follow this the first time, so I am going to follow it by the letter with the 14 eggs I have incubating now. We are on day four and humidly has been between 50 - 55% I'll fill moat 2 on day 18 and lock it down. Hoping for a good hatch this time! I've got two broodies I'd like to give the chicks to.

 

[flipflops]

So uping humidity will slow down the air cell growth? I have been running mine at exactly 45% sometimes it will jump to 48%?

 

[Peeps61]

So uping humidity will slow down the air cell growth? I have been running mine at exactly 45% sometimes it will jump to 48%?

It depends on where you live. I've hatched once with my incubator, and I let my humidity run a little low since I live in Florida with high humidity. This time, I'm keeping right in the recommended range to see if I get a better hatch rate. I got 2 out of 6 the first time. If I can get 8 to 10 out of 14 for this hatch, I'll continue with the humidity levels I am using for this incubation period. The humidity should be at least 65% during lockdown so that the chicks can break through the membrane and shells.

 

[oregonkat]

So uping humidity will slow down the air cell growth? I have been running mine at exactly 45% sometimes it will jump to 48%?

That's the idea. You want to maintain a 'middle of the road' humidity and I think that 45% there abouts is just fine so that the egg can lose only as much moisture as it needs to to create an air cell that is the right size for the chick to pip into. Too much humidity and the air cell stays smaller because the porous shell has not been able to get rid of the internal moisture, too low humidity pulls too much moisture from the shell and the air cell expands in the egg and can shrink wrap the chick. It really is a bit of a balancing act but that being said, there is definitely wiggle room. Monitoring the air cell is key and the weight of the egg is also a great way to tell if progress is being made. The weight thing needs to be from the beginning though otherwise, obviously, you have no point of reference. I guess you could start weighing at the first candle and go from there but I weigh before putting them in the bator and then again at 14 days and then again at lockdown.

 

[Peeps61]

That's the idea. You want to maintain a 'middle of the road' humidity and I think that 45% there abouts is just fine so that the egg can lose only as much moisture as it needs to to create an air cell that is the right size for the chick to pip into. Too much humidity and the air cell stays smaller because the porous shell has not been able to get rid of the internal moisture, too low humidity pulls too much moisture from the shell and the air cell expands in the egg and can shrink wrap the chick. It really is a bit of a balancing act but that being said, there is definitely wiggle room. Monitoring the air cell is key and the weight of the egg is also a great way to tell if progress is being made. The weight thing needs to be from the beginning though otherwise, obviously, you have no point of reference. I guess you could start weighing at the first candle and go from there but I weigh before putting them in the bator and then again at 14 days and then again at lockdown.

What do you use to weigh the eggs? I have a digital scale (for the kitchen), but I'm not sure that would give a very accurate reading.

 

[oregonkat]

I use a digital scale that gives me grams as well as ounces. I weigh in grams, it is just so much more accurate for small changes in weight. I put a small stainless bowl with a folded piece of paper towel in it, put it on the scale, tare it to 0, and weigh the egg.