What's with the air cell?

[Farm Frenzy]

I'm a first time hatcher...doing it for my daughter's science project, and I just wanted to know how to check the air cell. I definitely see one, but I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking for. Can someone help out a newbie, and explain what I'm supposed to be looking at. I've looked a pictures online, but I still don't get it. Does it get bigger, smaller....I have no clue!!!

 

[KellyHM]

It should get bigger as the incubation goes along. What day are you on?

 

[KellyHM]

By the way, where are you in FL?

 

[Farm Frenzy]

Yes ma'am, Florida. And I am on day 16!!

I have never read and researched something so much, and it just seems like every answer is diferent. On one website, it says incubate at 100.5, then another says 99. I know it's not much of a difference, but I don't want to make any mistakes. It's so close, I can barely stand it. I ordered these silkie eggs off ebay. Got nine, and only two weren't fertile....I think. The other seven have definite growth. When I candle, which we record for the project, the shadow keeps getting bigger and bigger. But I see no movement, does that matter? Should I see movement?

 

[KellyHM]

You can't always see movement. You see it the best when they're 7-10 days old b/c it's just a little blob spinning around. By day 16 you should just be able to see a big black blob in there. The air cell should take up about 1/4-1/3 of the shell by the time they hatch. If the eggs were shipped the air cell is sometimes too large, but it still seems to work out ok. I love Silkies and they are SO cute when they're born! I should have Silkie eggs arriving today to go with the other chicken, duck, and turkey eggs in the incubator. LOL. We're having a swap/buy/sell meet at my house Jan. 17 if you want to come.

Where in FL are you?

 

[Farm Frenzy]

Oak Hill, just south of New Smyrna Beach.

 

[KellyHM]

Ok, so I guess you're about 2 hours from here. Feel free to come if you feel like driving.

 

[KellyHM]

What other kinds of chickens do you have?

 

[Farm Frenzy]

Ameracaunas, and Barred Rocks.

 

[KellyHM]

I love Ameraucanas.