Don't give up. You could have 100% success next time. I prefer letting the hen set on them but a snake ate all but one of my eggs a day or two before they were going to hatch. It broke my heart. Luckily one was saved. She will be 8 weeks tomorrow. Her name is Miracle. :)
It can be difficult. I have 14 chicks out of the 28 eggs that I started out with. One wasn't fertile, 9 quit before they pipped and 4 died after pipping. They say that 50% is pretty good for the first try but I was hoping for better.
I took the 6 out because they kept rolling the pipped eggs over. They seem to be doing good at the moment. The one that was struggling seems to be making very slow progress. I hope it makes it because it will be one of the last of my sister's rooster. He went to chicken heaven yesterday.
Ty! It is soooo exciting. Looks like you are doing good. Congrats to you. How are your others doing? I have one that peeped almost 24 hours ago and still hasn't made very much progress. It has me somewhat worried.
The waiting is stressful but worth the wait. This is my first try at incubating and so far things are looking good. 27 of the 28 eggs that I started with are were fertile. 6 have hatched and 7 more have pipped.