Big Dessert-Themed Hatch-Along

[GreenJay]

I have 10 more eggs in set to hatch Monday, and I am dreading it because I fear that it will end up being a hands on hatch with possibly devastating results again.

Hoping your hatch goes smoothly!

 

[GreenJay]

Let's grow dessert chicks!
Go Popsicle!

 

[newchickychick]

3 days from the final candling and lockdown! Ahhh!

 

[TwoCrows]

3 days from the final candling and lockdown! Ahhh!

Super EGG-citing!!

 

[newchickychick]

It sounds like you are doing everything right! I won't incubate really dirty eggs either. I usually use a bit if sand paper on poop spots of eggs I really want to try and hatch that particular egg. Its not likely a bit of lost bloom will cause any trouble. My guess here is you are losing many of them from rough shipping, (they say if you get a 50% hatch rate on shipped eggs, you've done quite well) and possibly temp fluctuations in the machine. By keeping the govee in there for the entire cycle you should be able to see if it's your incubator. If it's running up to par then it's most likely issues with shipping. Rough shipping is really hard on embryos.

So I’m noticing the hygrometer is a teensy bit off on the incubator’s sensors I stuck it in (until the others get here) but nothing that would cause issues.
Howeverrrr! I noticed the temp. (Set to 99.5) fluctuates between 98.8 and 99.3. The next setting I can adjust to is 100, and that’s kept it between 99.5 and 100. Would the 100 setting be safer with those fluctuations? It is forced air! I wonder if it was dropping at points and I didn’t realize. And if that one is off, I wonder if they are all a little off which might could be why the other batches were quitting in mid-stage too? I’m not really sure how much the 98.8 would affect it, or if 100 flat is too high, but hoping I’m a step closer to answers maybe!

It does seem to wobble closer to 100 flat, so not sure if it was still just on its way adjusting to the incubator earlier with going down to 98.8 or if it really was dipping. A conundrum! I want to be sure I select the safest option for the eggs for sure. I don’t want to stick it at 100 if is too high but I’m wondering too if the fan’s air was making it seem like it was dipping down lower and is, in fact, really closer to 99.5. The woes of learning how incubators work!

 

[Slothinc]

So I’m noticing the hygrometer is a teensy bit off on the incubator’s sensors I stuck it in (until the others get here) but nothing that would cause issues.
Howeverrrr! I noticed the temp. (Set to 99.5) fluctuates between 98.8 and 99.3. The next setting I can adjust to is 100, and that’s kept it between 99.5 and 100. Would the 100 setting be safer with those fluctuations? It is forced air! I wonder if it was dropping at points and I didn’t realize. And if that one is off, I wonder if they are all a little off which might could be why the other batches were quitting in mid-stage too? I’m not really sure how much the 98.8 would affect it, or if 100 flat is too high, but hoping I’m a step closer to answers maybe!

It does seem to wobble closer to 100 flat, so not sure if it was still just on its way adjusting to the incubator earlier with going down to 98.8 or if it really was dipping. A conundrum! I want to be sure I select the safest option for the eggs for sure. I don’t want to stick it at 100 if is too high but I’m wondering too if the fan’s air was making it seem like it was dipping down lower and is, in fact, really closer to 99.5. The woes of learning how incubators work!

I personally would do the setting that brings it between 99.5-100. I have found that my eggs tend to hatch better if kept slightly warmer rather than slightly cooler. I have also read that Purina recommends incubating eggs at 100.5. So I figure that having them a little too warm is better than too cool. There may be some others here with a different experience though!

 

[TwoCrows]

So I’m noticing the hygrometer is a teensy bit off on the incubator’s sensors I stuck it in (until the others get here) but nothing that would cause issues.
Howeverrrr! I noticed the temp. (Set to 99.5) fluctuates between 98.8 and 99.3. The next setting I can adjust to is 100, and that’s kept it between 99.5 and 100. Would the 100 setting be safer with those fluctuations? It is forced air! I wonder if it was dropping at points and I didn’t realize. And if that one is off, I wonder if they are all a little off which might could be why the other batches were quitting in mid-stage too? I’m not really sure how much the 98.8 would affect it, or if 100 flat is too high, but hoping I’m a step closer to answers maybe!

It does seem to wobble closer to 100 flat, so not sure if it was still just on its way adjusting to the incubator earlier with going down to 98.8 or if it really was dipping. A conundrum! I want to be sure I select the safest option for the eggs for sure. I don’t want to stick it at 100 if is too high but I’m wondering too if the fan’s air was making it seem like it was dipping down lower and is, in fact, really closer to 99.5. The woes of learning how incubators work!

You shouldn't be seeing temps below 99 or above 100, so a half degree up or down from 99.5 is acceptable. I have found that temps a bit below 99 for short periods slow down growth. Too long at lower temps in the 98s and embryos die. Temps over 100 can do damage to toes and legs, other deformaties, and temps of 101 for long periods it can kill embryos as well. So which ever setting keeps the temps within 99 and 100 are exceptable. I agree with @Slothinc, temps closer to 100.0 are better than temps closer to 99.0

Do you have vents that you can open and close or are they non adjustable? If they are manual, you might open or close them a bit in either direction to contain more heat or let more out. Humidity can be controlled this way as well. Never close them completely however and vents need to be wide open at lockdown and hatch for maximum oxygen.

 

[newchickychick]

You shouldn't be seeing temps below 99 or above 100, so a half degree up or down from 99.5 is acceptable. I have found that temps a bit below 99 for short periods slow down growth. Too long at lower temps in the 98s and embryos die. Temps over 100 can do damage to toes and legs, other deformaties, and temps of 101 for long periods it can kill embryos as well. So which ever setting keeps the temps within 99 and 100 are exceptable. I agree with @Slothinc, temps closer to 100.0 are better than temps closer to 99.0

Do you have vents that you can open and close or are they non adjustable? If they are manual, you might open or close them a bit in either direction to contain more heat or let more out. Humidity can be controlled this way as well. Never close them completely however and vents need to be wide open at lockdown and hatch for maximum oxygen.

They are manual! I keep them half open but I can fiddle with it to better adjust. The manual said fully open at lockdown for ventilation which was what I did last time too for sure! Thanks both of you for the advice. I’ll see if this helps the eggs!

 

[TwoCrows]

They are manual! I keep them half open but I can fiddle with it to better adjust. The manual said fully open at lockdown for ventilation which was what I did last time too for sure! Thanks both of you for the advice. I’ll see if this helps the eggs!

What brand of incubator is this one? Some machines are better than others in holding temps steady. Make sure the machine isn't near the AC or in rooms that have big temp swings. You will get the hang of it soon I'm sure!

 

[newchickychick]

What brand of incubator is this one? Some machines are better than others in holding temps steady. Make sure the machine isn't near the AC or in rooms that have big temp swings. You will get the hang of it soon I'm sure!

They’re all Maticoopx30s! They’re in our gaming room which has no AC vents but is really roomy so air quality is always nice in there. We can close the door if it gets chilly to keep in warmth or open if it’s too warm, but usually leave it cracked or half open. It usually stays right at the 70 we keep the house at. None are near any windows either as I read early on in my research direct sunlight is a no go. The cats have their towers in the main room/living room which is open to the kitchen, so we decided the gaming room was safest away from curious kitties. They’ll stand on their hind legs to look at it sometimes but can’t actually reach the incubators and don’t mess with them in here. So fur/dander isn’t really much of an issue either as far as extra “contaminants” go as they’re usually in our room or the living room.