The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: jacjac on April 03, 2012, 09:25:59 pm

Title: just had a power cut , will my eggs still hatch in my incubator?
Post by: jacjac on April 03, 2012, 09:25:59 pm

 i have had a power cut all day for a least 15 hrs will my eggs in my incubator still hatch, they have been set for about 7 days?

Title: Re: just had a power cut , will my eggs still hatch in my incubator?
Post by: chrismahon on April 03, 2012, 09:36:34 pm

The first 7 days is the most critical Jacjac. I would be amazed if they are still OK after 15 hours but its worth continuing as a lot depends on the insulation of your incubator and the room temperature. At best they will hatch a day or two late. It depends if the egg core temperature dropped low enough to kill the embryo, the surface of the egg may have been stone cold but that doesn't matter.

We had a large 12V battery and an inverter on standby when we last hatched. Might be worth getting the same if power cuts are a regular occurrence. You could even charge the battery continuously and run the incubator through the inverter (get a good one).

Title: Re: just had a power cut , will my eggs still hatch in my incubator?
Post by: bigchicken on April 03, 2012, 09:44:32 pm

This happened to me last year but not for as long about eight hours the temp dropped to low twenty's. I lost about one quarter of my fertile eggs which were about fourteen day into hatch.   I would candle them now and again at fourteen days to see if they have progressed and the best of luck.