First time hatching, I think I have bad luck....

[cajun chicken]

So I got 18 fertilized eggs from a co-worker to hatch as a little home science project with my kids. Not knowing much about hatching I borrowed a still air incubator/turner from him and put them in last Saturday (April 11th). Temp has been holding at 99.5 since the start, no problems there. I only opened it once about day 4 to add water and that's the only time it was opened. Out of curiosity I candled them today (day 8) and was very disappointed when I found only 4 showing signs of life!!!

The rest had the blood ring around them.....

I guess my question is - has this happened to everyone from time to time? Thanks for the help

 

[KatieHoyle]

Don't worry! This isn't just your luck! A lot of people experience this problem! It's only your first time, don't give up just yet!

 

[WalnutHill]

Next time, raise the temperature about 1 1/2 degrees to hit the ideal for a still air.

 

[cajun chicken]

Don't worry! This isn't just your luck! A lot of people experience this problem! It's only your first time, don't give up just yet!

Well that makes me feel a little better.... Thanks!

Next time, raise the temperature about 1 1/2 degrees to hit the ideal for a still air.

You know, I thought I read that somewhere but my co-worker said 99.5 "would be fine" LOL. I'll definitely do that next time...... Thanks

 

[WalnutHill]

It's not too late to turn it up now if the controller isn't likely to spaz out on you. Do it when you have time to babysit.

 

[Drewnkat]

99 is better if you have a fan in there to circulate the air. 101 is supposed to be better with no fan. I've also heard if you have a still-air setup it can help to re-arrange the eggs every couple of days, in case there are differences in temperature.

I have my own styrofoam incubator so I added a cheap computer fan. We're about to go into lockdown here.

I hope the 4 live ones do great for you. Don't give up!

My eggs are green eggs (impossible to candle, can't see a thing) and light blue. I just kind of have to hope and pray there's something going on in there... time will tell!

 

[cajun chicken]

It's not too late to turn it up now if the controller isn't likely to spaz out on you. Do it when you have time to babysit.

I am off work Mon/Tues so I am going to try raising the temp. My friend did bring me 5 more eggs tonight fresh from the coop this afternoon so I'm going to put them in also. The temp control works really well and does not swing too bad so I should be able to do it without too many problems. It's the cheapo job from tractor supply but it does hold temp OK......

 

[cajun chicken]

99 is better if you have a fan in there to circulate the air. 101 is supposed to be better with no fan. I've also heard if you have a still-air setup it can help to re-arrange the eggs every couple of days, in case there are differences in temperature.

I have my own styrofoam incubator so I added a cheap computer fan. We're about to go into lockdown here.

I hope the 4 live ones do great for you. Don't give up!

My eggs are green eggs (impossible to candle, can't see a thing) and light blue. I just kind of have to hope and pray there's something going on in there... time will tell!

Thanks and good luck on your hatching also!

 

[WalnutHill]

I am off work Mon/Tues so I am going to try raising the temp. My friend did bring me 5 more eggs tonight fresh from the coop this afternoon so I'm going to put them in also. The temp control works really well and does not swing too bad so I should be able to do it without too many problems. It's the cheapo job from tractor supply but it does hold temp OK......

I love seeing a clawfoot tub put to poultry use. I keep my 0-2 week brooder tote in my old clawfoot tub. It's just so convenient to have the water right there when you need it, and it's spill proof as well.

 

[cajun chicken]

Yeah, though I love the look of the clawfoot tub, It's by far the least used of our three bathtubs so I figured I would put it to some kind of use hahaha