The 5th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long!

[MontanaDolphin]

ADVICE NEEDED (sorry bout the big red words...but posts can get lost in this forum LOL)

I have 3 thermometers (one is a thermometer/humidity combo) in my bator. The eggs I have set are LF and bantams. I'm having two problems.

FIRST: Even though the temp at the top of the LF eggs is perfect, the temp on the top of the bantam eggs is reading 98 degrees. What can I do?

SECOND: The LF eggs around the edges of the bator are cool to the touch when I turn them...not cold, but cooler than my body temperature because they feel cooler than my fingertips. Why is that, and is there no hope for the eggs?

EDITED TO ADD: I'm using a sponge for humidity...and every time I touch it to make sure it's still wet, it's cooler than my fingertips as well. That didn't happen the last time I hatched eggs...it was always warm to the touch. Is it because I have the bator packed full of eggs this time?

Thanks!!

 

[ronott1]

ADVICE NEEDED (sorry bout the big red words...but posts can get lost in this forum LOL)

I have 3 thermometers (one is a thermometer/humidity combo) in my bator. The eggs I have set are LF and bantams. I'm having two problems.

FIRST: Even though the temp at the top of the LF eggs is perfect, the temp on the top of the bantam eggs is reading 98 degrees. What can I do?

SECOND: The LF eggs around the edges of the bator are cool to the touch when I turn them...not cold, but cooler than my body temperature because they feel cooler than my fingertips. Why is that, and is there no hope for the eggs?

EDITED TO ADD: I'm using a sponge for humidity...and every time I touch it to make sure it's still wet, it's cooler than my fingertips as well. That didn't happen the last time I hatched eggs...it was always warm to the touch. Is it because I have the bator packed full of eggs this time?

Thanks!!

Yes, it takes longer for an incubator to warm up with more eggs in it. As long as the incubator was stable for temps before adding eggs, it will stabalize.

A sponge will feel cool because evaporation caused cooling. It would not cool down the eggs though.

re arrange the eggs every couple of days to even out any cool or hot spots in the incubator.

 

[SoManyHats]

After candling this morning (day 3) to recheck air cells, I have the following observations/thoughts:

1) Only 2 of 30 air cells are stable, most are still wobbly, and at least 3 are still floating.

2) I have no idea what to do with information in number 1. Start turning the wobbly and stable ones?Wait another day? They have been sitting upright for over 4 days.

3) I'm wondering how long an incubating egg can go without turning before it becomes detrimental.

4) I thought I saw tiny veining in a few. Am I supposed to see something this early?

5) It's my first time with shipped eggs, and I've already decided I don't want to do it again.

6) I am scared I will have a 0% hatch rate.


Edited to add: all four of my thermometers were showing about the same thing up until about 24 hours ago, when two started fluctuating down and up within a 3 degree range. Which brings me back to #6 above.

Sorry for reposting...just want to make sure the people who know the answers see it.

 

[Xovan]

So cute!!! I love these pics!

Thank you!!!!!

 

[austinbndr28]

I'm sorry but my final number of eggs is 38, my Cornish hen decided to lay an egg she is always the last chicken to lay an egg.

 

[SilkieSensation]

ADVICE NEEDED (sorry bout the big red words...but posts can get lost in this forum LOL)

I have 3 thermometers (one is a thermometer/humidity combo) in my bator. The eggs I have set are LF and bantams. I'm having two problems.

FIRST: Even though the temp at the top of the LF eggs is perfect, the temp on the top of the bantam eggs is reading 98 degrees. What can I do?

SECOND: The LF eggs around the edges of the bator are cool to the touch when I turn them...not cold, but cooler than my body temperature because they feel cooler than my fingertips. Why is that, and is there no hope for the eggs?

EDITED TO ADD: I'm using a sponge for humidity...and every time I touch it to make sure it's still wet, it's cooler than my fingertips as well. That didn't happen the last time I hatched eggs...it was always warm to the touch. Is it because I have the bator packed full of eggs this time?

Thanks!!

I tend to run my still air bators at 102F at the top of the bigger eggs & try to rotate eggs around the bator every few days to avoid leaving any eggs in the cold spots for very long.

 

[ronott1]

Quote: Sorry for reposting...just want to make sure the people who know the answers see it.
1. They may be wobbly and will form Saddle air cells even after resting. They will still hatch but often need more hands on work.
2. It will not hurt to leave them a couple more days. Up to 5 so you can turn on the turner soon.
3. They can sit without tuning for about 8 days
4. Depending on when you set them, you may be into day 4. You can see veins on day 4
5. Shipped eggs can be the only or less expensive way to get breeds that are not in your area
6. If you follow the advice on this thread, you will have chicks for Easter!

 

[Langshanlover1]

This is a chick that I incubated that hatched at 3am today and it's one of the eggs from my hen and rooster that was attacked by the fox today

 

[Loriemarler]

I have 6 eggs set in my new Bribsea Mini Advanced. Keeping my fingers crossed I did everything right. This is my very first hatch ever . I collected the eggs from my blue mille D'Uccles. Super excited about this!!!!

 

[DesertChickens1]

forgot to post this on Saturday! Three WCBP and two leghorn/WCBP. I also forgot to order my batam mixes from the exotic pet shop last week *face palm* so I'll be getting them this Friday so I'll have a batch on Easter and a batch the week after Easter