Too Early for Feb Hatch-A-Long Thread??

[Merrymouse]

Opinions please!
Day 18 starts tomorrow at 2pm, but I won't be able to lock down until 8pm. Should I lock down tonight at 10pm, or go 6 hours into day 18 tomorrow? I've never had a super early pip, but I've had pips day 19. I would hate to have a early bird, an jeopardize it.

I locked down a little early because I had to work a 12 hour shift on day 18. I really dont thing 6 hours in either direction will make much of a difference but Im a newbie. Someone should be along to give better advice.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Opinions please!
Day 18 starts tomorrow at 2pm, but I won't be able to lock down until 8pm. Should I lock down tonight at 10pm, or go 6 hours into day 18 tomorrow? I've never had a super early pip, but I've had pips day 19. I would hate to have a early bird, an jeopardize it.

I agree with Merrymouse, it's not going to make a huge difference either way. I've put eggs on lockdown days early before and I've also had a chick that externally pipped while still rolling around in the turner (oops!) they all have hatched great with no issues.

 

[LynnaePB]

Opinions please!
Day 18 starts tomorrow at 2pm, but I won't be able to lock down until 8pm. Should I lock down tonight at 10pm, or go 6 hours into day 18 tomorrow? I've never had a super early pip, but I've had pips day 19. I would hate to have a early bird, an jeopardize it.

I agree with Merrymouse and CluckNDoodle as well! It really shouldn't make much of a difference. I've stopped turning as early as day 16 with good success.

 

[LilyD]

Opinions please!
Day 18 starts tomorrow at 2pm, but I won't be able to lock down until 8pm. Should I lock down tonight at 10pm, or go 6 hours into day 18 tomorrow? I've never had a super early pip, but I've had pips day 19. I would hate to have a early bird, an jeopardize it.

I have a similar problem. My lockdown starts at 4pm Sunday but I won't get home until 8pm so I will lock down on day 17 Saturday night around 9pm. That way I don't need to worry about them hatching early and getting stuck in the turner.

 

[FortCluck]

I think my hatch is over. I candled 2 eggs and am still not sure what’s going on in there but I don’t think either are internally pipped. I candled that lone one remaining from my black olive egger batch and I don’t see movement, just darkness in there. And the aircell seems huge and still wonky. I also candled the Marans that had been rocking earlier. I think the air cell is too small. I remember writing that down in my notes. Is there any action I can take? I’m not sure if I’ll intervene but it’s sad to know it was in there rocking around and can’t get out.

What day are you on for your hatch?

When it starts becoming 48 hours after the hatch and I have ones that are still living but haven't hatched, I help them out.

I start to peel away the shell a little bit at a time and just peek in to see what's going on. I try to find the beak and make sure that the chick can get air. Sometimes they just aren't smart and can't get out, I cannot explain it.

I usually have my sterilized scissors, sterilized tweezers, sterilize gloves, sterilized drapes, Pedialyte, and cornstarch all on hand next to me in case I need it.

 

[FortCluck]

Opinions please!
Day 18 starts tomorrow at 2pm, but I won't be able to lock down until 8pm. Should I lock down tonight at 10pm, or go 6 hours into day 18 tomorrow? I've never had a super early pip, but I've had pips day 19. I would hate to have a early bird, an jeopardize it.

I stopped turning on day 14 and I have very successful hatches You do not need to turn an egg after day 14 because the chick is fully capable of moving by itself inside the egg.

I've had a lot of chicks that pipped on the wrong side of the egg my first hatch and ever since I stopped turning on day 14 I have not had that problem. I read that the reason why this would happen is because the chicks start to get into position then when I turn the egg they lose their positioning. Basically they get confused inside the egg from turning.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I linked a great study last year where they said that when you stop turning even as early as day 13 there were no detrimental effects, in chicken eggs. It had wonderful information but when I saw the link last night while looking for other stuff, the link is no longer active. I wish I had taken screen shots or something, it was very informative. I typically lock down on day 17 or 18 but it has been helpful to know that when necessary to lock down a day or two early, I'm definitely not pushing the limits as much as the studies that were conducted successfully with 100s of eggs.

 

[BluebirdHomestead]

What day are you on for your hatch?

When it starts becoming 48 hours after the hatch and I have ones that are still living but haven't hatched, I help them out.

I start to peel away the shell a little bit at a time and just peek in to see what's going on. I try to find the beak and make sure that the chick can get air. Sometimes they just aren't smart and can't get out, I cannot explain it.

I usually have my sterilized scissors, sterilized tweezers, sterilize gloves, sterilized drapes, Pedialyte, and cornstarch all on hand next to me in case I need it.

Yesterday was day 21. I set them on a Thursday evening. I’m thinking of trying to see what’s up with that Marans egg soon. I’m thinking my incuview maybe is running a degree hot or so since they started hatching Wednesday morning.

How do you make that very first break into the air cell? I’m thinking I make a tiny hole and the pull back little pieces with tweezers. I’ll have stypic powder at the ready with a q-tip to apply it. I will also have my sterilized scissors on hand.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Yesterday was day 21. I set them on a Thursday evening. I’m thinking of trying to see what’s up with that Marans egg soon. I’m thinking my incuview maybe is running a degree hot or so since they started hatching Wednesday morning.

How do you make that very first break into the air cell? I’m thinking I make a tiny hole and the pull back little pieces with tweezers. I’ll have stypic powder at the ready with a q-tip to apply it. I will also have my sterilized scissors on hand.

I use a screw because it helps you not to slip too deep. I candle and mark the air cell, then I score with the screw in the center of the air cell. Once you have a little hole, you want to pick at the shell rather than continuing to poke with the screw. This is all precautionary in case you still have a living chick.

 

[FortCluck]

Yesterday was day 21. I set them on a Thursday evening. I’m thinking of trying to see what’s up with that Marans egg soon. I’m thinking my incuview maybe is running a degree hot or so since they started hatching Wednesday morning.

How do you make that very first break into the air cell? I’m thinking I make a tiny hole and the pull back little pieces with tweezers. I’ll have stypic powder at the ready with a q-tip to apply it. I will also have my sterilized scissors on hand.

Make sure to sterilize your tweezers too.

I would take the tip of the tweezers and tap it on the top of the egg to make a hole. That's what I do and it works great. Then slowly peel the shell away a little at a time. A bright flashlight handy will be helpful too so you can see better.