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!