URGENT: Egg Turner - Unknown exact date question

[fortsmithmomma]

We received 7 eggs Saturday- placed the eggs direct from the farmer's incubator into ours- maintaining 95 - 100 temp. Using egg turner. Question is since the farmer did know know the exact date of the eggs/chicks- when should I remove them from the turner? He had other eggs which were set on 4-12 and he knew the ones we received had been in the bator longer than the 4-12 eggs. I candled last night and see very slight movement (very small ticks) in 4 of the 7- no real movement in the other 3, but the eggs appear to have a chick in there- not hearing any peeps or scratching yet and no pips. HELP! The farmer suggested I leave them in the turner and just remove them when I see them start to pip- but I can't watch them 24 hours a day and want to give them the best chance possible! I did not know if it would harm them more to remove them from the turner too early or if it would do more damage to leave them in too long- THANKS!

 

[eggsited chickens]

Maybe if you post some pics it would be helpful. Usually towards the end of the incubation period, you can't see a whole lot b/c the chick takes up a lot of the space.

maybe you can compare yours to these
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=261876

 

[fortsmithmomma]

Going to see if I can get a pic now. When I compare to the pics- some look closer to the 14/15 day, the other 3 look closer to day 17-18! EEK!!

 

[gaz131]

All you have to remember is, if they was under a bird (hen) she would be moving the eggs around from start to finish she not turning them as such its just the process of getting her self comfy, that moves the eggs around, she does not take the ones from the middle and place them on the out side or swap them around that much its more like a gentle tuck here and there , if you wanted to, you can stop the tuner moving now, and then turn them your self by hand 3 times a day, such as first thing, early eve, and then last thing at night, on the run up to any hatching they will start to pip once you see the piping stage stop turning them and put the incubator on look down allowing the humidity to stabilizes, then its just a wait and see time, from pip stage to hatch can be anything up to 24 hrs not all will take that long but some may take longer, hope that that help you, but just incase as a general rules the turner should be stopped 2/3 day before hatch date which you don't know, that's why I suggest you do it by hand then a quick inspection can be done to spot any pips on any of the eggs good luck and I hope that helps

 

[fortsmithmomma]

I can't get a picture that is worth looking at. I am thinking I will go ahead and remove the eggs from the turner and just turn them by hand 3 times per day until I see them starting to pip and then not disturb them anymore. Also, I need to increase my temp to 100-101 as it has been at a constant 95. Wondering if I should leave both vent holes open from now til hatch or just leave one or both closed??? Open to suggestions!!!!! Just worried that if I leave them in the turner and they are nearing hatch- it would be detrimental.

 

[gaz131]

hi hope all goes well for you found this site take a look at it and read it some good info on there and also show stage of egg development which may give you some kind of help with there dates http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/166/care-and-incubation-of-hatching-eggs all the best i would be very interested to know how you do

 

[fortsmithmomma]

Gaz131- Thank you so much. I am going down now to remove the turner and get the temp up and ensure we have adequate water in the bator recesses. I'll keep you posted!

 

[fortsmithmomma]

Oh my goodness- we have peeping going on inside some of the eggs!!! SO exciting. OK- I have taken them out of the egg turner and the water recesses have water- I have removed both air plugs. WHAT'S NEXT?? Have I done the right thing?? If so... typically how long until they hatch? I don't see any pip marks on the shells yet.

 

[gaz131]

great news they could be 24 hrs or so, keep a close eye on them once, you find any pips put it on look down try not to go in again if you think all is well try to watch the eggs, if they are moving as the bird trying to hatch, then they should not be 2 long once they pip they then finish off the egg yolk as there last meal so don't worry if they rest for some time they will still be hard at work, good luck, oh and yes I would say that you have done the right thing your just waiting for chicks now

 

[fortsmithmomma]

WE HAVE BABIES!!!! 2 have hatched thru far and another egg has a pip.
IMPORTANT QUESTION- The 2 hatched sometime between 9am - 12:00pm today- they are still slightly wet looking and stumbling around. They will walk a little and then lie down and sleep for a while. Is this normal or is my humidity too high??? There are still 5 eggs in there with them. HELP!