Overdue Eggs

I did another no-no and tried candling my remaining "overdue" guinea eggs. All 7 are full of chick with nice, big air cells. Couldn't see no movement, nor were any internally pipped. So I did the "float" test in a bowl of 100 degree water and still couldn't tell anything. I really don't have a good feeling about them...the last keet to hatch was over 2 days ago. Is there anything else I can do? Any way to tell if they're alive or dead? I'd just leave them cooking but I have more eggs coming and need the bator space...

Well at this point, why don't you crack one open at the large end, and peal away some of the shell, see what's happening. Just happened to me with some Pheasant eggs, they were all ready to pip, but they were all dead.

I just finished the egg-topsy and the results were as I expected; fully formed keets, none internally pipped, all dead. Bummer.

That sucks, always sad when that happens.

Now you have to figure out what you are doing wrong so you can correct it for next time. I would double check humidity.

Indeed I do…and I think I have it figured out. The power went out (this always happens to me) for 2.5 hours during lockdown. Worried about the temp, I covered the bator with a towel. Once power was back on, I discovered I had a humidity spike of 90%, yikes! So maybe that did them in… though I did manage to hatch 5/6 BR chicks out of the same batch, but some are crosses so probably more hardy.

Anyhoo, I’m all set to try again. I spent last evening recalibrating and disinfecting my equipment with 1% Virkon. This morning I loaded the bator down with 30 Ameraucana eggs (thanks again Jayme ) and 20 from my own from my flock & Big Red. And the fun begins all over again!

Say PC, any tips for a fellow guinea hatcher? I'm interested to know what you keep your humidity at? I incubated at 25-35% and hatched at 65-75%, not including the spike.

I think your humidity might be low to start. I keep mine at 50% then at lock down I increase it to 70%. I do this for all my eggs.

Goodluck with this hatch and I am glad you aret giving up.

And here I was worrying about having too much moisture and small air cells that the chicks couldn't pip or end up drowning from a blast of water...I've read so many horror stories where this happened and guess I was over compensating...drats.

Thanks for the advice PC. You use a hovabator, right?

You will figure out what works for you. I have both a hova and a sportsman