THE PLOT THICKENS....Unplanned Staggered Hatch- Advice Needed!

[MommaBee]

Yup! Fat end up. It was hard to tell on a few but air cells don't lie right?

Squeaky. I am thankful they let us loan it. Sorry to hear about your turner. I have read some articles that actually suggest not to turn them until day 7 anyway ( I am sure that's it's own debate) but I bet your guys will be fine. Have you candled yet?

 

[Squeaky McMurdo]

Most of them are green so I can't see what's going on in those so just leaving them unless I notice a crack or a smell. I have some pink ones with brown speckles (no clue what they are...anybody?) and one of them I saw stretch on day 11 I think it was and yesterday I saw a little foot kick. It's so fun to see movement, I never had an ultrasound with any of my kids but egg candling is making me want to for the next one. Lol

 

[MommaBee]

I am in the same situation. There are a few light ones and I'm going off of them. The rest I guess I will just have to wait and see. Which is frustrating because they were 10 days old eggs when I set them, so I am sure I am keeping some duds. I agree, candling can be addictive! I had sonograms with both my kids, what a cool job for those sono techs!

 

[Squeaky McMurdo]

I'm sure I am holding onto some quitters too. First of all the person I got them from put them in the fridge as they were collected, it was the green I wanted so I assume they span being in there anywhere from an hour to 7 days. The rest were probably just put in as fillers that day and the one pink is the only on I can easily see in without the LED my husband keeps forgetting in his work truck. The other pink I have is heavily brown speckled.

Second of all the turner actually dumped the eggs twice. The first time I thought it was because the cotter pin that locked the tray in was missing, the second time I realized it was probably because the motor is dying and couldn't lift them back up from tilting sideways. The jolt might have killed some embryos.

 

[MommaBee]

Ok so now back to the question of what to do now.
Incubator #1 just went into lockdown. And incubator #2 is totally full.
Incubator #2's first hatch will go into lockdown on the 26th and the second set will only be on day 11. Which is more important. Turning the 11 day olds or humidity for lockdown? Because I obviously can't do both. And if I don't turn them, should I lay them down with the others or keep them fat end up in an egg carton? All advice is welcome.

 

[gimmie birdies]

If I had to chose I would say turn off lockdown humidity at least until you get a pip, that is when you really need it. turning is most important 1st week.

 

[MommaBee]

If I had to chose I would say turn off lockdown humidity at least until you get a pip, that is when you really need it. turning is most important 1st week.

So keep turning the 2nd batch until the first batch gets a pip.. gotcha! What about separating them. Smart to keep them away from one another? And would it be smart to do dry incubation method for the time being so as not to drowned the second batch (since they will be getting around 3 extra days of humidity)?

Thank you Gimmie Birdies, I am really trying to get this right!

 

[MommaBee]

I'm sure I am holding onto some quitters too. First of all the person I got them from put them in the fridge as they were collected, it was the green I wanted so I assume they span being in there anywhere from an hour to 7 days. The rest were probably just put in as fillers that day and the one pink is the only on I can easily see in without the LED my husband keeps forgetting in his work truck. The other pink I have is heavily brown speckled.

Second of all the turner actually dumped the eggs twice. The first time I thought it was because the cotter pin that locked the tray in was missing, the second time I realized it was probably because the motor is dying and couldn't lift them back up from tilting sideways. The jolt might have killed some embryos.

I think we both will have some pretty strong chickens if any actually make it! I will be interested to hear if any of your fridge eggs make it. I wonder what your pink ones are... did you see the birds on site?

Sorry to hear about your turner. Looking forward to seeing how many of yours pull through. How many did you say you set? When is the hatch date?

 

[MommaBee]

I have a feeling those 3 lone eggs will not develop. If all they other ones were broken/cracked then they probably aren't in good shape internally.

Well I think you were right. I had 2 quitters but 1 is still going strong. Poor thing is going to have to hatch alone, if it makes it all the way. Luckily it is only 3 days behind the first batch. Think I can brood them together IF it makes it?

 

[gimmie birdies]

I just blended 5 day olds with almost 2 week olds.