Worst Hatches ever please help! !!!!

BarrettG said:

I don't know what it is? I have had 2 of my worst hatch rates back to back. All the chicks grow in the egg but die before they come out. Some pip and then die with their beaks out of the egg. I just opened up about 9 eggs and all were dead except 1. I had 5 hatch out of like 15. I keep the temp at 99-100 and humidity at 50% and on lockdown I bring it to 70-75%. I clean the bator with bleach after every hatch. I use the hovabator.The only thing I can think of is that my digital temp sensor is off. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG AND WHY ARE THESE CHICKS DYING?

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FridayYet said:

Deep breath.

How did the chicks look when you opened the egg? What day did they pip on? Have you had successful hatches before?

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FridayYet said:

Deep breath.

How did the chicks look when you opened the egg? What day did they pip on? Have you had successful hatches before?

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AmyLynn2374 said:

xs 2 
Even though the Hovabators are great, they can be a degree off from the factory,  I'd have an extra thermometer and hygrometer in  there and I would highly suggest thinking about trying a low humidity incubation. 50% is pretty high for the styro bators and many perform better with a lower humidity and if you check your air cells during the incubation, they can guide you on how to make any adjustments.

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BarrettG said:

50% all the way from start to finish?

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FridayYet said:

Are they your (local) eggs or shipped?  Glossier eggs also may need lower humidity

Many people have good success with 30-35% day 1-18, then 65% for lockdown. Growing a bigger air cell can keep them from drowning at the end.

Sorry you've had a rough couple of hatches.   

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BarrettG said:

They are my eggs. Strong good shells. I heard that low humidity under 75% will make them dry up?

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