At a loss.

[rlmullins]

Hi everyone I am new to this sight. I am working on my first incubation set up, and I need lots of help. I made my own incubator out of a styrofoam cooler, it is still air, my humidity was around 55% and temp was around 99 to 102 through the first part, then I got humidity up to 65% to 70% when I put them on lock down, hatch day was yesterday, put nothing happened, so I did a float test just to see if they were alive and all but three were, now I have one that is alive but not sure it will make it, they never piped, and when I opened the one that were dead the yolk sack was still in the shell and was not absorbed, can some one please lead me in the right direction on what I am doing wrong, I have a second incubator set up with more eggs, I don't want to loose them all, they are my own eggs. Oh and I have candled most of the new ones and they are looking good so far.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I read and saved that page, I think I might have everything going good now, I hope anyway, I am going to candle today and check out the air cells, and the eggs and make sure everything i going smooth, and make the air cells so i can keep up with them, I have 5 that go on lock down in 4 days, I think I will keep them setting up right just to be on the safe side, thanks for the help.

Just make sure when you hatch upright, keep an eye at the bottom of the eggs for any malepositioned pips because they are harder to see and it's easier for them to run into problems upright. Unless you have a hands off approach, then it doesn't matter. Good luck. Hope to hear good things!

 

[rlmullins]

Yes I believe so, I have been watching all afternoon, l.o.l I think my husband thinks I am crazy, but I love my chickens.

 

[feedman77]

Sounds like humidity may have been a little high during incubation.

I dry incubate myself. I try to keep it humidity at 25 ti 35 percent. Then raise to about 70 for lockdown.

But that's what seems to have worked for me.

 

[feedman77]

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Hi everyone I am new to this sight. I am working on my first incubation set up, and I need lots of help. I made my own incubator out of a styrofoam cooler, it is still air, my humidity was around 55% and temp was around 99 to 102 through the first part, then I got humidity up to 65% to 70% when I put them on lock down, hatch day was yesterday, put nothing happened, so I did a float test just to see if they were alive and all but three were, now I have one that is alive but not sure it will make it, they never piped, and when I opened the one that were dead the yolk sack was still in the shell and was not absorbed, can some one please lead me in the right direction on what I am doing wrong, I have a second incubator set up with more eggs, I don't want to loose them all, they are my own eggs. Oh and I have candled most of the new ones and they are looking good so far.

Sounds like humidity may have been a little high during incubation.

I dry incubate myself. I try to keep it humidity at 25 ti 35 percent. Then raise to about 70 for lockdown.

But that's what seems to have worked for me.

xs 2

I agree. I also use a low incubation method and check my air cells for proper growth to guide me how to adjust if needed. Styros especially seem to do better with a low incubation metod- wit the exception of high altitude hatches. I run at 30% for the first 17 days and 5% at hatch

One of the most important things is haveing accurate-checked thermometers. Even brand new ones can be way off.

With still air, you really want to get the temps as steady as you can in the 101-102F area (taken near the top of the eggs.

I'll give you a link for a humidity piece. This is the method I use and it has a good air cell graph too.
http://letsraisechickens.weebly.com...anuals-understanding-and-controlling-humidity

 

[rlmullins]

Thanks everyone, I have redone my two incubators and I have 40% humidity that is as low as I can get them to go for some reason, my temps are at 100 and steady, I am hoping I can get this right, I have 5 that go on lock down in 5 days, I hope I have not messed them up, I have a few more to that on lock down a day after for the next few weeks, I had eggs I add as the where laid, but I have a hatch incubator set up, and the one I have in waiting are in my brooder under a heat lamp, I am looking for any advice that might help me, and thanks again.

 

[feedman77]

If your hydrometer is right you can use rice in a bowl will help pull humidity out of air and lower humidity some more.

 

[rlmullins]

I am using a digital acurite thermometer, it gauges temp. and humidity, it seems to be right on.

 

[rlmullins]

What humidity do I need to be on till lock down, and is 100 temp good for still air.