Air Cells Seem Very Small On Day 17?

[Chickens n' more]

Okay guys, I candled a few of my eggs today and it seems that the air cells are much smaller than they should be at this stage. My temp has been steady between 99.3-100.8 and the humidity has varied quite a bit between 40%-65%. Mostly in the 40's the past week. Tomorrow evening, the turner will come out. Out of 7 BR, 6 RIR, and 5 EE's, I have only been able to candle about 11 of them because the rest are too dark. The 11 I have looked at are very alive and kicking

. The air cells have me worried though. Any ideas as to what I am doing wrong?

 

[Chickens n' more]

Okay, today is day 18!! I just candled one last time and lost a BR and a RIR, but as far as I can tell everyone else is doing good. The RIR was one that I never could see very good when I candled and it was not fertile and the BR must have quit about day 10 or so. I guess I will just wait and see on the whole air cell issue. I dropped my humidity way down and they seem to have gotten a little larger over the last 48 hours. Going on lockdown this evening!

Feeling pretty good about this one. Still have 16 out of 18!

 

[Cherlyn]

Best of luck!

~Cherlyn

 

[dancingbear]

Probably the humidity was too high for part of the time. I try to keep mine about 45% the first 18, then between 55%-60% the last three. That's where I get my best hatches.

 

[DANNY]

I agree the humidity is too high. I had to remove the water from my incubator the whole month of June because they weren't drying down. I have candled enough to where i know where they need to be at day 10 and if i need to adjust i do it before it is too late.

 

[Chickens n' more]

Quote:
I am hoping I was not too late. They seem to have gotten a little bigger. The temps her in Kansas have been so up and down, along with the humidity, that it has been sooo hard to keep it in correct humidity range. I have a Little Giant and I have the turner, which is wonderful, but I absolutely have to get a fan before I try again. Today is day 19 and when I went on lockdown last night I put two thermometers in it, one towards the front and one at the back. They are showing over 2 degrees difference!! 99.5-101.8. I am sure I probably messed up another batch. Good thing my hens dont charge me for their eggs.

Still crossing my fingers and hoping I at least get a few.