Day 24 and alive

[jessiecombs96]

I have 2 incubators of chicks going. First incubator pipped on day 20, all chicks except 1 were finished hatching on day 21 (one on early day 22).

Incubator number 2 had nothing happening. I handled on day 21 and chicks were still moving but I threw away the ones that had no signs of life. We're midday on day 24. I cracked one open a teeny tiny amount at the air sac end and it's alive but not internally pipped at all. The other eggs are also alive when candled still. When can I help them? My incubator conditions are prime for hatching per the incubator and separate hygrometer. How long should I wait? My other chicks are moving to a brooder and these haven't even hatched yet but are alive. Eggs came from the same batch of eggs, just not enough space in my smaller incubator for all of them. Thanks!

 

[Huntmaster]

Sounds like temps in 2nd bater was low. Only thing you can do is be patient, have any of those eggs pipped yet?

 

[Ridgerunner]

The thermometers or hygrometers that come with the incubator are not always set properly with factory settings and the instruments don't always read correctly. It's too late to do anything differently with this hatch but I'd suggest before you use that incubator again you calibrate the instruments. The way I do that for temperature is to use a medical thermometer that has been calibrated to check against. I've never calibrated my hygrometer, I mainly use it to show when I need to add more water.

If you are in the US, you might call your county extension office and chat with them. Sometimes they will calibrate your instruments for you. It can be worth asking.

From what you've said it sounds like that second incubator is running too cool. There are several different things that can cause eggs to hatch a couple of days early or late but those eggs are from the same batch. It's probably low incubation temperature.

 

[MidwifeMamaHawk]

I have 2 incubators of chicks going. First incubator pipped on day 20, all chicks except 1 were finished hatching on day 21 (one on early day 22).

Incubator number 2 had nothing happening. I handled on day 21 and chicks were still moving but I threw away the ones that had no signs of life. We're midday on day 24. I cracked one open a teeny tiny amount at the air sac end and it's alive but not internally pipped at all. The other eggs are also alive when candled still. When can I help them? My incubator conditions are prime for hatching per the incubator and separate hygrometer. How long should I wait? My other chicks are moving to a brooder and these haven't even hatched yet but are alive. Eggs came from the same batch of eggs, just not enough space in my smaller incubator for all of them. Thanks!

What happened to the chicks from incubator #2?

 

[aart]

@jessiecombs96 any updates that you care to share?

 

[jessiecombs96]

@jessiecombs96 any updates that you care to share?

3 hatched on days 25 and 26. 2 needed assistance and 1 was severely disabled and was PTS. The rest died in their shells.

 

[MidwifeMamaHawk]

3 hatched on days 25 and 26. 2 needed assistance and 1 was severely disabled and was PTS. The rest died in their shells.

Thank you for the updates and I’m sorry your 2nd batch didn’t do as
well!

 

[BDosier]

3 hatched on days 25 and 26. 2 needed assistance and 1 was severely disabled and was PTS. The rest died in their shells.

I am currently having the same issue. We are on day 23, I heard a few peeps last night but nothing this morning. All are still alive. When I was candling at day 10 half the clutch was dead. So I got a digital hygrometer and even though the incubator was reading 100* and 57% my hygrometer which I know was accurate was showing 86.4* and 85% humidity. I was so angry. I reached out to the manufacturer and tried to get some assistance. They provided none but offered a $20 refund. The eggs in my incubator are all cochin frizzle so $20 is a slap in the face. I eventually got a full refund but I have been babysitting the incubator with a heating pad and towel on top to get it to temp without overheating. I am praying the 9 remaining hatch and none are deformed.