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Hi all, I need an answer to a rather silly query. When do you start counting the 21 days incubation period from? Let me elaborate. I placed 13 auracana eggs in the incubator in the early evening of May 29. From when do I count 21 days, from that evening or the following morning. If from that evening, they should start hatching on 18/19 June, but if from the next morning they should start hatching on 19 June. And when should I stop turning them. Today or tomorrow?
Thanks all I'll keep you informed how things progress
Ken

Hi Ken, if you put them in on the evening/day may 29th, then you start counting from the following day, may 30th. No matter what time of day you put them in, wether it be morning, or evening, you always start counting the following day.Stop turning on day 18-19. And don't bang the humidity up untill at least half the eggs have pipped,(a little hole in the shell.) No question is silly mate! Good luck with the hatch.
JubesX

Thanks Jubilee for what sounds like very solid advice. Now you mention not to bang up the humidity until at least half have pipped, but what do I do if the ambient humidity is very high. Here in Malta it has stayed around the 40-45% mark and this morning when I went to check the incubator it was reading 51%. So far I have'nt added any water at all and progress has seemed to be very good. But, having such a high ambient humidity should I add some water when they pip or not? Also, will a high ambient humidity affect the hatch at all, or affect the progress of the chick in the egg? I get an answer to one query and then seem to find something else to worry about. But I suppose it is all part of the learning curve.
Thanks
Ken

If the ambient humidity is naturally that high Ken, i wouldn't add more, the first chick out will normally push it up sufficiently to help the rest anyway. Like i have said before, when a broody hen is about to hatch her clutch, you don't see her running around the garden looking for a cup of water!
Naturally high humidity can effect the hatch, you might get a few with bent toes, or very sticky when they hatch out.If the incy is fan assisted, it can dry the air out a little inside, you may struggle more with a still air one. Good luck with them.
JubesX

Great news over the weekend. Following all the good advice I got from the forum, especially Jubilee, my eggs started to pip on Saturday morning. By five in the afternoon, eleven had hatched. 10 Aurucan white bantams, and what looks like 1 brown/blackish wyandotte. I other egg is still in the incy, but I don't hold out much hope for it. Following your advice Jubilee, I left everything to nature practically. With the high ambient humidity I didn't add any extra water whatsoever and when the first chick hatched, the humidity reading on the Suro shot up to 91%. It stayed in the upper 80s for most of the day and only started to come down late in the evening when most of the chicks had dried out and become fluffy. I am so pleased to get such a good hatch, and put it down to firstly, good parent stock and secondly, not mucking about too much with the settings on the incy. When my son has a minute I will get some photo's taken and upload them online. Many thanks for all the advice
Ken

That's great news Ken!! Glad to hear they are all out safe and sound! Looking forwards to seeing those pictures. You're most welcome for any advice anytime!

JubesX