Turkey egg hatching

[PennyWise]

I've never hatched an egg before but was given a turkey egg on a visit to a petting zoo with my nephews - it was laid in front of us. I was going to eat it, but when I got home (the next day) I mentioned to my MIL (who I live with) that it was likely fertilized and as she has always wanted a turkey as a pet, she immediately shoved it down her top to begin incubation.

We are set up to keep birds, we already have chickens.

It was up to me then to rig up an incubator before she went to bed & I did. At 3 days I candled it with a torch app on my phone & there were signs of life so I bought a proper 'bator as I didn't really trust the one I had built. I've kept the temp at 100 F and 55-60% humidity (my greenhouse thermometer/hydrometer is in there with him) until day 25 when I upped the humidity to 65-70% and lowered the temp to 98 F.

It was wiggling on day 24, but I haven't candled since because I read you shouldn't past day 24.

I think maybe the air sac was too small, from the pics I've looked up on google, but I'm not sure.

It's now day 28 and there are no signs of it hatching. How long should I wait?

 

[feedman77]

If you have not seen an external pip. I would go ahead and candle to see if there is any movement.

If there is movement just wait. If not or you can't see movement give a couple more days. Just to be sure. A degree or 2 cool can delay a hatch.

Bestvof luck

 

[PennyWise]

Thanks for the advice. I candled it and there was movement! The poult has grown a lot & the air sac has grown a bit (I drew round it in pencil last time). I think maybe my thermometer is out by a little? I'll wait and hope for the best.

I've done so much internet reading on turkeys and how hard they are to raise that I was 99% sure it was dead.

 

[feedman77]

Any update on the egg

 

[PennyWise]

There is no change. No external pips. No cheeping. I've not candled it again. But I did work out I was slightly off on the dates as I didn't count the first day as day 0. So It was due on Friday not Thursday. Today is 2 days late. I'm trying to be patient and optimistic. It's hard.

 

[PennyWise]

duplicate post.

 

[PennyWise]

I succumbed to impatience and candled again.

I can't post links but yet but if you look at this image:- wildliferehabber DOT com/sites/default/files/wr_duckeggchart.jpg it looks almost exactly like day 28 with more veining. (I know its ducks not turkeys - is it meant to look like that?)

There is a small indent into the air sack which wasn't there before. I'm inexperienced but I think it's an internal pip. I think I saw the 'beak' wiggle. Other than that there was no movement. Is that normal? Is there too little room left in there to move much?

 

[feedman77]

When they get ready to hatch movement will be sometimes hard to see.

If it was internal pipping expect an external pip within 24 hours.

Then another up to 24 hours for it to hatch.

Advise be patient and wait awhile longer.

I have 11 in an incubator hatching now.

3 are hatched 1 is zipping good.

Good luck.

 

[PennyWise]

No external pip yet

I'm pretty sure it died at a late stage. There is no movement, no chirping, nothing.

 

[feedman77]

Sorry if It died late.
You might candle one more time just to be sure.

If no movement. Maybe poke a small hole in the air sac end of egg to see if you could see it better.

If still alive cover with tape. And put back. If gone toss.

Good luck