Bantam eggs hatching too early in incubator

[shelleyd2008]

Hello I am new to this site. I have had 2 clutches of eggs set in my incubator. The first clutch was supposed to hatch last Wednesday, and started to hatch last Sunday. The second clutch is not supposed to hatch till Thursday, but there is already one that is pipped. The question that I have is why are they hatching so early? I have one hen that sets on the nest for about 3-4 hours before she lays. Could this be why? The humidity is all right, but it is a still air incubator, so the temp goes from 98 to 102 degrees. They are also 'pullet' eggs, meaning the first eggs that the hens have ever laid. HELP!!!

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Most people recommend not setting pullet eggs as they may have things wrong with them. I think bantams hatch earlier then standard eggs...not sure on this but someone is sure to help you out soon

GOod luck!

 

[KellyHM]

They say that for every 1/2 degree over 100 the eggs will hatch a day early, so I guess that could be part of it. I have a still air incubator and the only time the temp drops is when I open it to turn eggs. It never goes above the 100 degrees I have it set at, so not sure why yours is doing that.

 

[the simple life]

Any bantams I have set have hatched two days early. Never really knew why.

 

[saranbensmom]

What kind of bantams? I don't know much, as I am new as well, but I know Seramas go a couple of days early...maybe it's just normal for the breed and the temp going up is taking another day or two off????

 

[Akane]

My bantams hatch exactly on time and I keep mine at 100-101 for the thermometer over the eggs and 96-97 for the thermometer at the side of my still air. If they are hatching really early you could try lowering the temp a little so it doesn't make 102 as often but if your getting good hatch rates and there's nothing wrong with the chicks I don't see a reason. Just be glad you don't have to wait as long.

Hatching pullet eggs is annoying at best. At worst I had 2 out of 24 survive and I had to assist those 2 because the chicks couldn't position right to hatch in the tiny elongated eggs. It's really not worth setting pullet eggs.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Well the last batch was the first time I had ever used the incubator, and I hatched 12 out of 13, so I guess it's not affecting them too much. I only had one that had a little trouble. It ended up being spraddled legged, but I band-aided it's legs, and it gets around pretty good now. I even hatched 3 of my hen's eggs after she left the nest!

 

[shelleyd2008]

Oh sorry. My chickens are all mixed I think. I have one pair of blue splash that I think are Dutch(?). I my pullets that the eggs are coming from are an ameracauna, and a cochin mix, and I was told the other is an egyptian? not sure on that one though. I do have some baby white and black japs, and some baby white silkies. I also have a standard game hen that has three chicks, but most of my chickies are mixed. I just started getting chickens earlier this summer, and had gotten them to get rid of the ticks. But as most of us probably know, they are addictive little buggers!! I need to make sure not to take money with me when I go to the sales!!

 

[Kung Foo Chicken]

I have three thermometers in my still air and all say 100-101 but, I always get a few that hatch a few days early, some on time, a few a tad late.

 

[Fudgie]

Keep in mind the thermometer that comes with the still air incubators are only as good as the person that clipped them on the plastic with the numbers on them. We had a horrible time hatching eggs until we purchased a thermometer/hygrometer from walmart! When the thermometer that came with the still air showed 100 the thermometer/hygrometer read 102 so when mine reached 102 I was cooking my little babies!

NEVER AGAIN!!! it was well worth the 6.95 to purchase this little instrument to save so many babies!

By the way, If the temp stays at 100-101 our babies have hatched to the day 21 days! and Ducks hatch 28 days. Guineas on the other hand do range from 25 - 28 days They show a range on the table and I guess it is because some guineas in the same clutch do hatch at 25 days and I say hatch loosely. these little guys don't really pip, they just whammo pop

right out of the shell, a closer examination shows that there are hairline cracks all over the egg before they bust out into the world!