Am I the only one who failed at incubating for the first time?

[Illia]

So you see you're not alone.

My first hatch was with my own mutt flock, and with a cheap Little Giant still-air incubator. Wow was it a failure. Only 2 eggs ended up fertile though the bator was full, and both died around their first week but I didn't really know that, so, I waited through lockdown, nothing happened, then I opened the eggs to see some pretty immature embryos, dead. It was depressing.

Second incubation I did both backyard flock mutts and shipped Ameraucana eggs - Backyard flock mutts again weren't too great, Ameraucana eggs weren't either but I did get two chicks from the Am eggs.

Third time around I chucked my crappy cheap incubator for a new GQF / Hovabator, got more shipped eggs, and had a great success. Since then things have been great.

 

[JenBirdRansom]

First hatch.....100% FAILURE! Second hatch I had 9 out of 9 hatch! I am on my third hatch, first time with shipped eggs and out of 30 sent P.O. broke 2 and of the 28 left only two are showing any vein development, so failure. I isn't helping that 14 hrs after I put my eggs in the 'bator the power went out for 7 hours and they are shipped eggs. All of the air cells are detached.. Keep trying, it will happen for you. On my 100% hatch my temps went high and low and my humidity at one point was 8%. Also I work a double on Mondays shift, so on Mondays I didn't turn eggs at all, let alone 3 times in a day.

Leggin,
That is strangley comforting. So even if I got skunked on this first one, there is hope in my future! Ha! It also sounds that maybe the handling of the eggs before they go into the incubator is a bit more important than having flawless incubation conditions.

Too bad I'm a little attached to the buggers in there now. You won't find me opening the eggs that didn't hatch. No-sir-ee!

 

[bigdawg]

no one has a perfect hatch the frist time. i didnt. 10 out of 42. anyway first get your incubator stable for three days before putting in eggs. then get some local cheap eggs from someone you trust. no shipped eggs. then watch temps and humidity like a hawk. i have had good luck with the digital springfield thermometer/ hydrometer from walmart. i do check it with the brinsea spot check thermometer. take notes every day. on day eighteen candle the eggs, take out clears and quittters. take turner out or quit turning. then make sure humidity stays 65 percent or above and doesnt go dry. and most of all do not open the bator during the hatch. most common mistake. if several do hatch remove them as quickly as possible. and be ready to mist remaing eggs with warm water. this is what works for me. hova bator with fan and turner. never give up. were all here to help. good luck everyone.

 

[JenBirdRansom]

no one has a perfect hatch the frist time. i didnt. 10 out of 42. anyway first get your incubator stable for three days before putting in eggs. then get some local cheap eggs from someone you trust. no shipped eggs. then watch temps and humidity like a hawk. i have had good luck with the digital springfield thermometer/ hydrometer from walmart. i do check it with the brinsea spot check thermometer. take notes every day. on day eighteen candle the eggs, take out clears and quittters. take turner out or quit turning. then make sure humidity stays 65 percent or above and doesnt go dry. and most of all do not open the bator during the hatch. most common mistake. if several do hatch remove them as quickly as possible. and be ready to mist remaing eggs with warm water. this is what works for me. hova bator with fan and turner. never give up. were all here to help. good luck everyone.

Weeeeeell looks like I going to have to take the "what I'll do next time" attitude. I copied and pasted your post so that I can tape it on the wall next to the incubator. I'm using a ReptiPro 5000 and as for steady temps and humidity I LOVE IT! The turners are eggselent (sorry I couldn't resist) too.

 

[bigdawg]

boy do i feel important now. good luck on your next hatch. you know you will have to inform us all on how it goes.

 

[dsfrango]

Ok so im waiting on my Octagon60, should be here in 2 weeks

. It will be my first one and first time incubating so Im reading up. What I have compiled so far to make sure I got the jist of it........ Allow it to run for a few days to stabilize, then keep it around 45% humidity and between 99-100 degrees. On the 18th day increase the humidity to about 65%. I will attempt to candle or use an LED flashlight after 2 weeks. Any corrections are welcomed. Thanks!!

BTW-Im doing bantams(Sebrights & Mille D'uccles)

 

[dsfrango]

ANyone? I would like just a couple opinions.........Thanks!!

 

[pax12]

It took me 5 times to get my first hatch, and now 6 years later I have hatched over 200 +

 

[JenBirdRansom]

5 TIMES!! Oh I hope it doesn't take me that many times. What a downer for my kids.

DS, I think you've got a good start. I'm finding there are a number of different ways of going about it and many variables...too many to make broad sweeping statements about exactly what will work for everyone every time.

I have learned alot of things I wish I had known before I set this first batch of eggs. Some things I did right, others I think I messed up but I hope I can get maybe 1 chick? 2 would rock!

So lets see....and let us know how each step is going for you. Lots of help here on the forum!!

 

[crankster76]

just finished up today. had five eggs in the havabator with fan and turner. temp was 98.4 to 101 at 30%. 18th day I moved them to a still havabator with temp at 101 and 75%. hatch was early and took 24hrs from 1st pip. 100% hatched. never give up! OH, forgot to mention this was my first try at incubation.