[mentalmilly]

l have a brinsea octagon 20 and am trying to hatch some turkey eggs.  One started to pip yesterday but after 12 hours and no hatch l picked off a bit of shell and found a completely dry membrane so had to help it out.  This is a fan assisted incubator and it seems that if the eggs pip the fan dries out the membrane before the chick can get out.  Has anyone had this problem and how did you cope with it?  Please help.  l now have 2 more trying to hatch and the same problem, and another chirping away and not getting anywhere.  Is it a good idea to intervene do you think.  l have not had turkeys before but have come across this with hens eggs at times.  The humidity is high but the fan seem to cancel this out.  Any info would be useful please.

[Eve]

I have the same incubator but don't have that problem. Give Brinsea a call in the morning, they might be able to advise.


Good luck with the hatch - I have turkey eggs in at the moment so would love to hear the results 

[mentalmilly]

have hatched 5 turkeys in the incubator Eve.  2 needed help getting out but others OK.  Have been on the web and found out how to get them to feed and its scary if you believe all you read. l have 3 in the brooder and my hen is looking after the others with the 4 she hatched, but she is a bit manic if anyone comes near.  If she does not settle will have to take them off her and put them in the brooder with the others.  Never known chicks like them, feet too big and they keep falling over themselves, not like chicks that seem to know what they are doing from day one.  Good luck with yours.

[Eve]

They sound hilarious!    Mine are due to hatch in nearly two weeks.


My broodies are very protective in the first few weeks - simple things like topping up their feed results in her pecking my fingers and glaring at me as if I'm the devil himself who's come to eat her babies   


 

[mentalmilly]

This is the only broody l have that goes manic but l think she will settle.  The turkeys are hilarious one fell on his back and decided to have a nap.  Thought it had died at first, had to upright the poor thing.

[Eve]

 


 Write a blog! 

[mentalmilly]

well they are cute but dumb, looks like they take turns to use the one brain cell they have between them.  Very inquisitive about anything, no sense of danger.  Brooding in a paddling pool at the moment but in a couple of weeks they will probably be able to step over the side.  Thats when l shall panic and wonder what to do with them.  Probably find them on the end of my bed one morning.  Very entertaining though and not got the hang of their legs yet, look a bit drunk when they stand still.  You are going to love yours when they hatch.

[Eve]

They sound fabulous! 


11 days to go for mine...