[KahlanA]

I know it can be any time around 21 days, but would this make it Sunday 5th or Monday 6th? Noones home on Sunday so didn't know when best to set to aim for Monday as it's our first time hatching

[bloomer]

its not that precise, it can be 20 days or as long as 24, the good news is chicks survive fine in the incy for a few hours until you return...

[Stereo]

They can go 24 hours in the incy no problem. Some say up to 72 hours but I would think that's pushing your luck.

[Womble]

I normally count the first day as 'day zero', whatever time I put them in.
 
As others said, they're best left in the incy for a while to fluff up anyway.

[Eve]

Yes, put them in now, chances are they'll hatch on the Monday. Don't plan on making a big Easter dinner, you'll be too busy watching the incubator    The first ever pip will probably have you all hooked, and once the chick starts unzipping  (breaking through its shell all around its width) the excitement will only increase

[KahlanA]

They're in! I feel so nervous, I hope it's all done correctly!

[Clansman]

Looks good 

I find its easier to mark the eggs for turning though, X on on side O on the other with a line drawn between then you just turn the egg along the line each time.

Its ok if you're doing it on your own but if there are multiple peoples helping its easier to spot if someones turned them already or no one can remember doing or not doing it! 

[KahlanA]

Thanks they are marked x and o (maybe not clear in pic). I've popped onto milk bottle tops to slightly elevate wider end (this was really hard on two pekin eggs as could barely tell one end from other! Then kept worrying I was handling too much!)

Theyre all'x'up now so I start turning tomorrow yes?

[Clansman]

I'd turn them tonight again then again in the morning, you can't turn them too often.

I usually just turn mine twice a day, 8am and 8pm works for me.

Finger crossed! 

[KahlanA]

New dilemma! Incubator keeps stabilising at 38.0 degrees - Ive been cautiously trying to turning it down but it's tricky and not budging!

Is this a major problem at this stage? And can anyone recommend an accurate digital thermometer please?

[Clansman]

38 isn't a problem, as long as they don't go over 40 for lengthy periods they'll be fine.

Eggs will still hatch if kept anywhere between 35 to 40, maybe a bit quicker or slower but they should still hatch fairly well.

Don't worry about half a degree or so, even the hen doesn't do it that well

I use a medical thermometer in beside the eggs to check the temperature, sometimes the incubator doesn't always show the correct temperature the eggs are at.

[Eve]

Boots £10 baby thermometers are not reliable - using 2 at the same time in the Mini they came up with a 1C difference. One thermometer was 1 year old, the other one brand new. So that one is on the not-recommended list.
I used the Heston Blumenthal Precise digital meat thermometer, which was always fast and seemed more accurate than any of the others but is now no longer available in that model, so I'm now considering a Brinsea certified calibrated incubator thermometer though it's a bit pricey.


Remember to measure the air temperature at the height of the top of an egg, and don't let the thermometer lean against a shell.



You're so right in double checking the temperature. I always keep mine on 37.5-38C (thermometers - they are never in perfect agreement) and the hatching rates with our own eggs have always been 90% or 100% except once: the first time a secondhand Octagon was used and the temperature was 1.5-2C too low. The temperature hadn't been double checked for some reason and it remained too low for the whole incubation period, consequently the hatch rate halved and several chicks had leg problems to the extent that they needed culling. We could have kicked ourselves 


You'll be safe with a 0.5C difference, and hatches will be a bit later or earlier with a 1C difference, but larger long term differences will have a significant detrimental effect.  You'll be fine with 38C, though. 


Will you be candling in a few days?

[KahlanA]

Thank you, I'm sourcing a second thermometer to double check. I candled today (for educational purposes as opposed to expecting obvious development) and am really upset as the eggs seem too porous and I've read awful things about it. I started a new thread with a picture abd I've contacted the breeder (in case his eggs are always the same? I don't kniw) and I'm feeling a bit distraught

[Clansman]

I know its all new, exciting and stressful but just step back and relax

Your eggs have only been in 48 hours, you're probably not going to see anything for another couple of days, 5-7 days is a good time to candle them.

What do you mean by porous eggs? Its normal for the shell to be thicker and thinner in places and patchy looking. Are the eggs just really thin shelled? Some of the duck eggs are very thin and clear to see through, eggs such as quail are almost impossible.

[Hevxxx99]

Bantam eggs hatch in 19 days