when should we throw in the towel?

[cricket-cricket]

We had high hopes despite the little yellow dome incubator we've been using. Saw veins and movement until day 17 (last Sat I think). Candled for the last time on Sunday and saw no movement. Since then, nothing. Tomorrow will be day 24 or 25. What da ya think?

I can't say it was all the fault of this little contraption. The weather has been absolutely non-accomoodating whatsoever. Last Saturday it was 80 degrees - today it's snowing (no lie)! and it's coop cleaning day to boot.

Even as I type, the sun is shining AND it's hailing. Good for rainbow watching, but not incubating. Washington State is really having some crazy weather this year.

This $12 experiment has not been entirely a loss. I've read A TON about incubating and embryonic development. I even found you guys! Someday I'll have a real incubator, but for now we're enjoying the challenge. Not so sure about the moral part of it (how fair is this to the would-be chick) but we only have our own feelings of dissapointment to handle - no kids, which makes it easier.

So. At what point should we give up would you say? If we should candle, what should we look for?

Thanks. And thanks for all the advice and encouragement thus far.

 

[FLOWERPOT]

At this stage you could candle at the air cell and see some sort of movement, a few time I have seen a heartbeat, or slight twitch, something.

 

[championny]

I was going to get one of those incubators, until I learned they were no good. I instead bought an LG and it works great. I candled this morning and have two moving around as well. A few of them I wasn't sure about so they went back in and I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Now, with yours, I would suggest candling them again for movement. If you don't see any, I would think it may be a loss. Does that incubator allow you to add humidity to it? If its too low or too high, it could be a problem. Even despite the weather. We have had crazy weather here (no snow though

in FL) but I just kept on monitoring the temp and it seems fine.

I have heard of chicks hatching late, so I would again, candle and check to see if they are still alive.

 

[cricket-cricket]

Thanks. And heck no - there's no telling about humidity, except that we have achieved some. I rolled up a three inch rag and keep it saturated. Part of the dome is steamy (not entirely by any means) so that's the best I can do.

It was a cheap experiment. We really don't need more chickens - and I have some in the brooder now anyway. Still - it was pretty exciting to see veins and movement up until day 18.

I asked Santa for an incubator for Christmas, but there was none under the tree. GUess he thought I'd shoot my eye out with it. (sigh). I bet next year there will be one!