The worst thing EVER: An IDIOT with an incubator!

[tailfluff]

So, my husband and I took a super long drive today to go to a poultry show - it was fantastic! The birds were GORGEOUS and the place was absolutely packed. I had been talking to a very lovely person for quite a few days about hatching eggs, and I spent WEEKS reading about seramas and incubation and asking everyone that I could ask about special care for these tiny eggs. I set everything up perfectly - the humidity, temperature, temperature fluctuation checks, and even spent the extra $30 for the fan. I cleaned the incubator with vinegar and got it running about two days before the egg pick-up. I promised the person I got them from that I'd take excellent care of the eggs - and what did I do as soon as I got home? I messed up! Nobody told me that the poor little eggs had to adjust to my home's temperature before I stuffed them into the incubator. I thought that the sooner I got them in there, the better off they'd be. BAD! What are the chances that the eggs might still be viable? Have any other fellow idiots done this?

I just want at least one to hatch. Apparently I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed.

 

[CCourson05]

Honestly, I doubt it messed them up much, if at all. Unless it was sincerely cold outside, because the cold egg going into a hot incubator will cause it to sweat. Sometimes a bad thing, sometimes mean nothing. You'll get ONE to hatch at the least!!

 

[fatbassetvineyards]

I agree, I don't think you messed up. I let my shipped eggs set, but my own eggs were fine when I put them into the incubator. Waite 7 - 10 days and candle them. I bet you will be happy then. Please let us know

Denise

 

[tailfluff]

Quote:
Thank you!!! They went straight from my vehicle into my house. They weren't exposed to the cold air 'cause I tucked them into my coat before I opened the door to prevent the temperature change (it was kind of chilly outside), so I really really hope so!! I feel a little bit better about it, but I'm still upset. I thought I was ready, what if I'm missing something else? Whatever can go wrong will, I suppose! I even read the serama hatching pamphlet from the SCNA front and back and still messed up immediately when I got them home.

 

[tailfluff]

Quote:
Thank you very much! I'll definitely let you all know what's going on. If some of them hatch, I'll be posting pictures of baby seramas! If I'm a failure, I will be blubbering like an idiot and will probably sell my incubator to someone for a killer price. I don't want to ruin an entire batch of seramas - especially considering if I had decided not to take them they would have gone into an incubator owned by someone intelligent and responsible about hatching them. I feel like a baby chicken killer.

 

[tia]

This is a learning process... don't be too hard on yourself. This is my 5th year of hatching eggs in my classroom and I learn something new every year. Sounds like everything will be okay anyway. Good luck with your hatch!!!

 

[tailfluff]

Quote:
Thank you!! I've been peeking at the eggs through the top and none of the eggs sweated or anything, which is hopefully a good sign. I guess it just proves that no matter how much I think I know I always have more to learn!

 

[SJensen]

I agree. Unless there were freezing temperatures, you didn't mess up. I had similar worries when I got my first eggs. When bringing them home I had the heater on full blast in the car (it was summer), thinking I should be keeping them at 99 degrees.

It turns out that eggs can sit around for many days at flunctuating temperatures before a chicken sits on them to start them developing.

 

[domino7]

I've never had a broody carry eggs in to bring them up to temp. They just start setting on them when they feel like it, and seem to do great. Don't overthink it, and you'll be fine.

 

[crossgirl]

I can't wait to see your hatchlings! Seramas are on my wish list. You're not an idiot. Idiots don't do all the research and make the effort to do everything right. I'm sure everyone is right and your wee ones will be just fine.