- Apr 4, 2013
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The eggs are not fertile. They look like they've been sitting too long, to me, and that's what is making the germinal disc look like they're appearing. There are several possible reasons, and it may be the 'Perfect Storm' of all of these reasons that you're not getting them. Two reasons are that the hens are hybrids and their age. It's harder to get fertile eggs from hybrids, and these were bred to produce eggs for consumption, not reproduction. This is why many hatcheries tell you when they sell these birds as chicks, that they are hybrids and will not be easy to breed and have chicks. Like humans, chickens only have so many ova to produce eggs in their lifetimes, and these have been bred to produce as many eggs as possible in the shortest period of time. They're nearing the end of their production, which is why they were put up for 'rescues'. So, the closer they are to the end, the less likely you're going to see fertile eggs produced. The rooster may or may not be mating with them, as well, but if the eggs are not as viable to being fertilized, it's not taken inside the hen, and therein lies your problem.
Also, no matter WHAT the manufacturer says about their incubators, ALWAYS TEST the temperature and humidity readings with independent thermometers and hygrometers! I had the same problem with the incubator I purchased to start hatching my own eggs, knew they were fertile, et al, and my development rate/hatch rate was dismal. Turns out that even though the readings from the built-in equipment said they were spot on, they were actually about 2.5 degrees off... too low, and that was what affected my success. I tested it independently, adjusted it accordingly, and voila! Close to 100% success rate! So, please do not 'assume' that the manufacturer is correct. They will ALWAYS tell you there's nothing wrong with their equipment because they don't want any negative connotations and have you return their products.
Also, no matter WHAT the manufacturer says about their incubators, ALWAYS TEST the temperature and humidity readings with independent thermometers and hygrometers! I had the same problem with the incubator I purchased to start hatching my own eggs, knew they were fertile, et al, and my development rate/hatch rate was dismal. Turns out that even though the readings from the built-in equipment said they were spot on, they were actually about 2.5 degrees off... too low, and that was what affected my success. I tested it independently, adjusted it accordingly, and voila! Close to 100% success rate! So, please do not 'assume' that the manufacturer is correct. They will ALWAYS tell you there's nothing wrong with their equipment because they don't want any negative connotations and have you return their products.