Big hatch went south towards end, why?

[dmanhefner]

I set 108 eggs. Culled about 12 at day 7 for clears or blood rings. Culled again at day 11, 13 this time. One last cull at 14, down to 67 now, not great but still at +50%. I now have about 18 that are hatching rest dead. My question is what would cause so many late deaths? Almost all are well formed. The eggs are clean, I didnt wash them. Not my first hatch with this incubator, I have done well with it before. I suspect I may not have adequate ventalation, there is a 1.25" square hole on back and a fan on the inside.

Thoughts?

No odor from the dead, at all.

 

[beetandsteet]

Did you do an "eggtopsy" of the eggs that did not make it to hatch? This can help tell when the embryo died. A bunch of late deaths can indicate improper temperatures, bacteria in the incubator, or bad flock genetics. Early quitters in my experience are due to improper egg storage temps, bacteria, and incubator temp. Here is a link to a page that explains some reasons for embryo deaths: http://www.mypetchicken.com/hatching-eggs/chapter-8-hatch-day.aspx
Also, are you sure you have an accurate thermometer? What temp was your hatch at? Another thing I would think to cause deaths so late in the incubation is improper hatching humidity. What kind of incubator are you using? What do you have the humidity at for the first 17 days, and what do you have it at for lockdown?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I set 108 eggs. Culled about 12 at day 7 for clears or blood rings. Culled again at day 11, 13 this time. One last cull at 14, down to 67 now, not great but still at +50%. I now have about 18 that are hatching rest dead. My question is what would cause so many late deaths? Almost all are well formed. The eggs are clean, I didnt wash them. Not my first hatch with this incubator, I have done well with it before. I suspect I may not have adequate ventalation, there is a 1.25" square hole on back and a fan on the inside.

Thoughts?

No odor from the dead, at all.

My big question would also be what was humidity the first 17 days and the ones that hatched, were they "on time" or late? Is it a home made incubator? Cabinet type?

 

[dmanhefner]

It is home made, between 20 and 30. Its a cooler bater.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

It is home made, between 20 and 30. Its a cooler bater.

That's good humidity. It wouldn't hurt to add a bit more ventalation, but you'll have to tweak for temps. What is your heat source?

 

[dmanhefner]

2 100 watt lights at opposite ends not shining directly in eggs. Im thinking the lack of ventilation is a big part. What few have hatched have been sticky, one with organs outside.

 

[MeepBeep]

2 100 watt lights at opposite ends not shining directly in eggs. Im thinking the lack of ventilation is a big part. What few have hatched have been sticky, one with organs outside.

That is a lot heat for a cooler incubator, are they thermostat regulated? Have you verified the temp at the eggs with at least three thermometers? Are you hand turning or auto turning? Is temp consistent across the entire incubator or are there hot/cold spots?

 

[dmanhefner]

They are thermostat regulated, and the thermometer has shown no cold or hot spots. There is a fan, and its a 150 quart cooler. I put two bulbs in case one quits.

Im going to make some big changes to it I think, this is very discouraging. Espeacially since have had luck before. I hand turn in trays. I dont have three thermometers but I tried the one I have in 3 spots before setting over 2 days.

 

[MeepBeep]

Without using multiple thermometers you have no way to verify said thermometer is accurate...

My advice go to Walmart and get a few of these, they are cheap, accurate and work well...

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Aqua-Culture-Aquarium-Floating-Thermometer-1ct-Fish-Aquatic-Pets/10795052

They are not sold online but every Walmart by me carries them in store for about $2... And if the store has multiple ones on the shelf you can easily confirm they are all in agreement on the temp and thus have a very high chance they are all true...