ACGM
Chirping
- Aug 25, 2019
- 34
- 66
- 69
I first want to thank everyone that has answered my incessant questions! I have completed my first incubation and wanted to update on my previous post, as well as, share with you what I feel about this experience after going through all this to hopefully help others in my position.
The update is, that chick and the two others trying to make their way out, had in fact died. I know there is probably very little if anything I could have done but still pretty upset I lost so many so close to breaking out of their shells. I also had another egg that did not even pip and showed no signs of life.
My hypothesis for what went wrong is air quality/bacteria. I had six hatch two days ahead of schedule and when I went to take out chicks and examine the other eggs today, the incubator smelled rancid. I think for next time I will only incubate 8 eggs versus 12 (that’s what the incubator can hold) because having that many chicks made it cramped and being in there so long (48hrs+) they obviously had to “relieve” themselves. I also think that I may potentially remove chicks if they hatch so early next time depending on my gut feeling. I know the rule is to keep them in but my incubator is very small and seems to keep a steady temperature and humidity even when lifting the lid for a short period. I will obviously take more precautions to ensure the eggs left will survive but I really do feel like having all those chicks in there did more harm than good.
If there is any other feedback you guys can give me I would appreciate it! I again thank you all for helping me through this process!
The update is, that chick and the two others trying to make their way out, had in fact died. I know there is probably very little if anything I could have done but still pretty upset I lost so many so close to breaking out of their shells. I also had another egg that did not even pip and showed no signs of life.
My hypothesis for what went wrong is air quality/bacteria. I had six hatch two days ahead of schedule and when I went to take out chicks and examine the other eggs today, the incubator smelled rancid. I think for next time I will only incubate 8 eggs versus 12 (that’s what the incubator can hold) because having that many chicks made it cramped and being in there so long (48hrs+) they obviously had to “relieve” themselves. I also think that I may potentially remove chicks if they hatch so early next time depending on my gut feeling. I know the rule is to keep them in but my incubator is very small and seems to keep a steady temperature and humidity even when lifting the lid for a short period. I will obviously take more precautions to ensure the eggs left will survive but I really do feel like having all those chicks in there did more harm than good.
If there is any other feedback you guys can give me I would appreciate it! I again thank you all for helping me through this process!
