IT NEVER WORKS! I GIVE UP!

I purchased a used GQF. I probably put in 200 eggs 2 years ago. I hatched less than 30.

So I called. GQF told me that it was an ostrich hatcher, and that I needed to change the motor for chickens. I did.

Now I purchased Accurite thermometers, and they are on all 3 levels. I have temps from 98 to 101 (front to back).

Recommended that I not use water all the time (which I did and it didn't work). So I let it dry out. Didn't work. So then I used water the entire time. Didn't work. So then I tried a dry hatch. They never even pipped.

So after I put in the new motor this winter, I purchased eggs I really, really, really wanted to hatch. I got two from each batch (out of six to eight DOZEN EGGS I purchased). Then one of the last batch died after three days.

I also tried to hatch chicks in a foam incubator. I can't do that either.

I think I'm just a chicken death god. Either that, or all my former lives, I've been a predator!

I'm so discouraged. I can't do this. I don't know why, but I can't do it. Everyone in the world can hatch chicken eggs! I CAN'T DO IT! Farmers used to put eggs by their STOVE and hatch eggs just by keeping them warm. I can't even do it with a professional's machine.

Other than banging my head against a wall, what would you do?

I have another batch coming I really, really, really want to hatch.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO! I'm a total failure.

I hate my life. I have a husband that does not support me in chick hatching, and now this!

Sorry your having such problems. I set mine at 45% humidity for first 18 days then up it to 65% for the last 3. I have an auto turner and temp set so i guess i have it easy that way. Never give up keep on trying. You will get there. We have all had bad hatches when we were first learning. persistance does pay off eventually.

Shipped eggs are always harder to hatch so perhaps try with your own or locally picked up eggs first til you get the hang of it.

Take a deep breath, find a cheap source of fertile eggs. Only do a dozen or so at a time. Shipped eggs are harder to hatch so I hear. I"m trying it for the third time. First two times failed. I've hatched eggs all the time as a kid and teenager. So don't feel bad that your shipped eggs aren't hatching.

Sweetlilbaby said:

Take a deep breath, find a cheap source of fertile eggs. Only do a dozen or so at a time. Shipped eggs are harder to hatch so I hear. I"m trying it for the third time. First two times failed. I've hatched eggs all the time as a kid and teenager. So don't feel bad that your shipped eggs aren't hatching.

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well said Sweetlilbaby, find a local farmer who has a rooster and hatch some mutts.
I have a local farmer with beautiful Barred Rocks. He gives them to me for $2 dozen, that is what i sarted with.
Shipped eggs usually have a much lower hatch rate.

I go 50% humidity for the first 18 days and around 70 for the last 3. my temps range 99 to 101.

What do you do with the eggs when you recieve them? How soon do you set them after receiving them?

try buying a better incubator ..
maybe brinsea? call them for better deals!

You should not have to buy a better incubator. A cabinet incubator is a better incubator. So it is holding steady temp thats good. You need a hygrometer to measure humidity. You only need one. Put it on the middle shelf. Definately get barnyard mutt eggs locally. They are going to be the hardiest for you to hatch and be able to make sure your incubator is running properly.

You want your humidity around 25% for incubation and 60% during lockdown. Leave only 1 vent hole open, close the other one.


This is a dumb question, but did you change the fan motor or the turner motor. On an ostrich incubator it is the fan motor that needs to be changed because it blows too much air. You pretty much wont hatch a chicken, much less from a shipped egg.

Get your incubator up and running with the humidity where you want it for 1 week, then set your eggs in it. Leave it closed for 1 week but check your guages regularly if you can from the outside otherwise turn the incubator off and open the door. Always turn it off before you open the door, but remember to turn it back on when you close it.

On day 7 candle your eggs and make a note of how many are developing. On day 14, candle them again and make sure they are all developing well. On day 18, move them to the hatching tray and up the humidity. Leave the vent holes the same. On day 23 turn off the incubator for a second, open the door, take out what hatched and close the door again, turn the incubator back on. Day 25 open the incubator again and see if anything else hatched.


Once you get a decent hatch it makes all the difference in the world. Now I am swimming in chicks literally. I have over 100 running around and more hatch every weekend and this is how I do it.

Lanae

I have two and don't have that big of a problem, only when using shipped eggs. Also I find it better if they are in a closet. I only add water right in the beginning and at the end. Also those accurite digital thermometers are junk. Invest in a good one. I hope it gets better.