Update on Not Disappointed

[SunnyCalifornia]

I hatch Seramas (tiny bantams) and I've never had any hatch before day 21.

I keep my humidity around 40-50, then bump it to 60-70 on day 19 or so.

 

[Ridgerunner]

A good way to determine which day chicken eggs should hatch is that the day of the week you set them is the day of the week they should hatch. They can hatch two or even three days early or late, depending on a lot of different factors, but at least this gives you the target.

If you set them on Thursday December 8, they should hatch on Thursday December 29.

Good catch Gypsy07

 

[williamsl77]

Oh, well that's pretty useful! I'm a day off. Hatch day is tomorrow. Ok... let's see what happens tomorrow!

 

[williamsl77]

Of course, that means I went into lockdown a day early... that won't hurt anything, right?

 

[Gypsy07]

Quote:

I love it when I'm right. LOL!

So many people make this mistake - we should be checking it with everyone who thinks their hatch is late...

Williamsl77 - hang in there! And no, a day early for lockdown won't make any real difference. Good luck with your hatch!

 

[williamsl77]

Oh, so much awesome info. When I put them in lockdown (really day #17) they had lost about 11-12% weight, which according to Gypsy07 might be right or only a small amount on the low side. I thought they should have been a little closer to 15% by that point. Oh, I hope I'm just jumping my guns and that they are all doing fine and that I will meet them tomorrow or Friday!

Thanks everyone!!

 

[williamsl77]

So... I thought I had set them for a time when I would home for the hatch. There are a few that are a day behind and actually then set to hatch on Friday. My hubby set up this makeshift camera for me to watch while I'm at work tomorrow.

http://qik.com/LaurasChickens

Thanks again everyone! Let's see what happens. I did see some eggs wiggling tonight. 8)

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

Very cool!!! I have two due to hatch Sunday, and I'm excited to be home for that. Good luck with your hatch. I hope all goes well!

 

[ILOVELEGHORNS]

Quote:
Unless they are porous eggs, then I also do dry incubation.

 

[202roosterlane]

Another thing is if you are going to candle them before lockdown, you should do it quickly. Once in lock down, no matter how much you are worried I would not open and close the bator at all till hatch. Then don't open it if you have serveral more in there because it will effect the temp and humidity that may hurt the others. You don't want shrink wrapping to occur. Once they have hatched they can stay in the bator
(from what I have read here on BYC ) 1-2 days. I leave mine in for 3-4 hours to gain strength and become fuzzy dry. If I have serveral other eggs in there I leave them even longer. If you feel like you have many that have hatched and they are rolling the other eggs around, I have pulled them out after they have completely dried. Once your eggs are in lock down they position themselves for hatching and I don't think they are suppose to be disturbed to a certain degree.

But then I think to myself, if they where under thier momma's hind end, she wiggles them a little. So I think it varies. I have had shipped eggs hatch before lockdown (once) and I have had eggs hatch 3 days after the other eggs they came with. If you candled them before lockdown and you feel comfortable that they candled well, once they reach day 21, I would not take them out and recandle. I would just leave alone for 3 more days. Then....... it's possible they just did not come to term or a million or things could have happened. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

I have never tried a dry hatch but it seems pretty popular. I may try it once with 6 eggs.