If they are hatching early, your temp is a little high. Did you candle the eggs to see if they are viable before lockdown? Has you thermometer been calibrated to reflect accurate temp? I usually go a week past the hatch date in case there are any late hatchers. Good luck.
When you count your days are you counting the day you set the eggs as day 1 or are you waiting to start your count after 24 hours? That will make a big difference as to how close to "on time" they are. Early hatches do signify slightly warmer than normal temps. Humidity at lock down should be at LEAST 65% (I shoot for 75%). What did you have the humidity at for the first 17 days? Most hatches hatch out what is going to hatch w/in 48 hours of the first hatch. I'd give the eggs 24 hours after the last hatcher, then candle and look for internal pips and movement. If there are no internal pips and no movement then I start my first eggtopsy by going in at the air cell to double check before preceeding. You can wait as long as you'd like to, don't do anything until your comfortable with the decision, it's all a matter of how long you want to drag it out. I will say I've found hatchers after day 23 tend to have problems and most people I know don't have to much luck with chicks surviving after day 24.So, when you are ready to call it and there's no signs of life, tap into the air cell first.
I don't like anything over 45%. I shoot for 30% when possible. This is the method I use: http://letsraisechickens.weebly.com...anuals-understanding-and-controlling-humidityThank you for the advice. I kept the humidity through day 17 at 50%. I did count my set day as day 1. I think I will wait a couple of more days to see what happens. I did try to candle some of the eggs and they are dark inside. I can see the airsac in the egg but no movement.
