Final tallies are in:
10 Black Copper Marans eggs hatched (50%)
1 Blue Laced Red Wyandotte hatched (16%)
3 Blue Ameracaunas hatched (27%)
2 Mutt eggs hatched (50%)
The Blue Ameraucanas were mostly dead in shell without having broken into the air pocket. We are thinking our humidity after lockdown was not quite high enough. The BCM's had very thick shells which we think helped conserve humidity in the egg allowing them easier movement. Of the Wyandottes we set, 2 never started cell division (no bulls eye indicating not fertile) and the others were early quitters. We put the mutt eggs in to see if shipping had a drastic effect on our hatching rate, but feel that most of our problems weren't due to egg quality but humidity control. Even with four sponges in the incubator after lockdown, we struggled to maintain 60% humidity on a calibrated hygrometer until we pulled the egg cartons, and then the humidity jumped to over 70%. Next hatch will be without using the egg cartons to hold the eggs.
Any ideas or suggestions to make our next hatch more successful are greatly appreciated. My wife and I thank everyone for all their help and all the constructive advice we have received from the people who frequent this website.
10 Black Copper Marans eggs hatched (50%)
1 Blue Laced Red Wyandotte hatched (16%)
3 Blue Ameracaunas hatched (27%)
2 Mutt eggs hatched (50%)
The Blue Ameraucanas were mostly dead in shell without having broken into the air pocket. We are thinking our humidity after lockdown was not quite high enough. The BCM's had very thick shells which we think helped conserve humidity in the egg allowing them easier movement. Of the Wyandottes we set, 2 never started cell division (no bulls eye indicating not fertile) and the others were early quitters. We put the mutt eggs in to see if shipping had a drastic effect on our hatching rate, but feel that most of our problems weren't due to egg quality but humidity control. Even with four sponges in the incubator after lockdown, we struggled to maintain 60% humidity on a calibrated hygrometer until we pulled the egg cartons, and then the humidity jumped to over 70%. Next hatch will be without using the egg cartons to hold the eggs.
Any ideas or suggestions to make our next hatch more successful are greatly appreciated. My wife and I thank everyone for all their help and all the constructive advice we have received from the people who frequent this website.
