[gsc]

I have seen many people comment that they candle so they can replace infertile eggs but what happens when the first batch are hatching and the humidity has been changed but the latecomers aren't ready?

[Casey76]

You have to have a separate hatcher to which you can move the eggs on day 18

[gsc]

What sort of hatcher do you use Casey?

[Casey76]

I haven't got one yet!

But I'm looking to buy a second hand Corti 25 semi auto incubator which would be perfect as a hatcher... but I might have to buy a Cuvatutto 24 incubator new to tide me over till i can get the 2nd hand Corti (which is a bargain - I'm in negotiations with the current owner, but I can't get it until after my next lot of eggs are due to arrive)

Oh dear looks like I'll end up with 3 incys    :happy:

[goodegg]

what i think casey means is you need more than one incubator

[gsc]

Lol - now I get it.

Just somewhere to run at a different temp/humidity when they start to pip (is that the right phrase?)

[Casey76]

Exactly!

Have your all singing-all dancing incy to do the hard work during days 1-18, and have a manual or semi auto incy too which you can keep at a higher humidity but don't need automatic turning for eggs which are ready to hatch.

And, yes, pip is the "technical" term.  First the chick will pip internally, when they break into the airsac and take their first breath of air (from here you can here them cheeping), then they will pip externally.  Then you really have to sit on your hands as it can take up to 24 hours for them to "zip" round the shell and actually hatch!

[gsc]

Oh boy I can't wait.

My brother has just tried candling the eggs but he's not very sure - he says the candler isn't much brighter than his torch.  I guess it take practice.

3 seem to be clear so I am hoping the rest are good.  He's going to try again in the dark.  My curtains are too light 

[lukasmum]

I'm really sorry to hi-jack this thread - but I was finding it very interesting!!

I haven't candled the eggs that my banties are sitting on, as they seem to get quite
distressed just gently lifting them out for food, water and a leg stretch.

The eggs are a mix from my whole flock, so were accumulated over a period of days.
I am quite sure they should have hatched by now...or at least the first ones.

Any advice as to what I should do? Should I try candling them now, and look for signs of
life - if not, turf the girls off them?
Thanks...can't bear the thought that none of them will hatch after all the dedication those
two girlies have shown!

[gsc]

Hijack away    Will be interesting to see what the experts say.

Me - I'm afraid I would have a look - no patience.  :blink:

[Nails]

I have only had one hen sit although i have 3 stting at the mo and also a goose, but i resisted the temptation to candle the eggs she was sitting on. The surprise was really nice when i went in there and found babies poking their heads from mums wings.
i have 3 inncy's going at the mo, 2 are turning the eggs, and one is used as my hatcher where i have just hatched today 2 Saxony ducklings, waiting for the third to hatch as we speak.
I have the other 2 doing the hard work with about 100 eggs in, various from Manderin duck, runners, and chicken eggs, i just write down when the last day of turning is and them pop them in the hatcher for the last 3 days.

[lukasmum]

Thanks for the hi-jacking space gsc!!

Nails - you are so lucky!  I think my banties have been on the first eggs for 24 days
so I don't think they are going to hatch now.  I'm going to nip up later and candle one of them for signs of life..but I feel impending doom

I was SO hoping some would hatch, Their dad would have been my gorgeous wyandotte bantie that was taken by the fox along with 3 girlies...
ho hum! feel quite sad now..

[gsc]

Lol Nails - guess who bought her third Incy today    Second hand one this time before hubby threatens to divorce me.  Reckon he's only keeping quiet because he has plans for a litter of pups in the not too distant future.

Good luck with your hatching.

[gsc]

I'm going to nip up later and candle one of them for signs of life.

Fingers crossed.

[lukasmum]

I've just candled the eggs - and theres nothing but yolk and very large air pockets in the ones under the silkie.
I've put her back in the house without them.
Got hubby to check I wasn't murdering any foetuses - he agrees not.
 

I'll remove the ones under the pekin tomorrow and check them, but I assume they will be
the same. Had a little sad moment remembering the bantie cockerel...he'll have no legacy to continue his name, but he did have fun while he was here

Am I right just to leave the broody without eggs? Will she soon start eating again by herself without eggs to care for? Poor girlies, they have been so dedicated to their duties!