What day do your chicks usually pip? (temp advise?)

[Indigosands]

Not all the way out, just the pip- hole? My last 2 hatches the chicks didn't pip until the late morning or afternoon of the 21st day and many aren't even out by the end of the day or until the 22and day. I keep reading of chicks pipping on day 20 and out on the 21rst. Am I running my incubator too low temp-wise? I've been staying at 99 for my home made styrofoam incubator with fan. Should I bump to 100 for the next hatch?

 

[sumi]

21 Days is the average, but they can hatch any time from day 18 all the way to day 25 or later even. Pipping on day 21 is perfect, so leave the temperature at 99*F.

 

[bethk]

I am at the end of day 20. First time incubating? Shouldn't SOMETHING be happening in there????

 

[sumi]

There is probably a lot going on in there, but if your chicks are anything like mine they will keep you hanging until they pip. Patience

 

[Indigosands]

Thanks Sumi, I'm not running into any abnormalities, so I guess I won't stress about it. Just makes me wonder why so many people have early birds. LOL

Beth, sometimes you can see the eggs rocking and wiggling if they are laying flat, and very occasionally you will hear muffled peeping if you're close to the incubator. Like Sumi said, there's a lot going on in there but nothing you can really see. It's maddening. LOL

 

[Sally Sunshine]

 

[bethk]

I see no movement at all and no peeps. We ran out of oil at our house last night so when we woke up the temp dropped to 95. My husband cranked it up so now I have an hour to try to regulate it before I leave fr work. I figure a little low at this point is better than 2 high. I dreamed last night that most of my eggs hatched.

 

[sumi]

At this late stage a slight temp drop wouldn't have done much harm. Hopefully by the time you come home from work you will have some pips

 

[bethk]

Thanks, that's what I'm thinking.

 

[bethk]

DAY 22, lots of action in the incubator