Chicks dying during the final few days.

[Rockdweller]

I've tried two times with a still air incubator and each time the chicks get almost fully developed and then die. I've did everything I've read that I need to do and am at a loss to what is happening to them. I've cracked the eggs on the 23 day and most of them have what seems to be a fully developed chick but no signs of life. I'm thinking they are dieing during the last few days of the period. I quit turning the eggs on the 18th day and I've maintained a 99 or 100 degree temperture thru out and the last three days I have raised the humidity to around 80. Is there something that I am doing wrong?

 

[TNBlacktails]

Is there ever any spikes in temp?

 

[Rockdweller]

The temp may drop a degree or so when I'm turning them. It never goes above 100. I'm wondering if I should have given them more time?

 

[TNBlacktails]

Maybe Id let it run till day 27 or 28 21 days is just an average sometimes they take 23-25 days to hatch all according to how thick the shell is and how hot the bator is.

 

[Rockdweller]

I think that might be my problem. I took them out too soon. Now I'm feeling guilty.

 

[TNBlacktails]

I think that might be my problem. I took them out too soon. Now I'm feeling guilty.

Its ok everyone makes mistakes on their first hatches. You can always try again next time

 

[Ohgrr]

In the learning center I read an article on dry incubation last night and it talked a lot about that. I am sorry I don't have the link handy but if you have trouble locating it I would be happy to find it.

 

[Sonja73]

Its ok everyone makes mistakes on their first hatches. You can always try again next time

X2

 

[kodster]

In the learning center I read an article on dry incubation last night and it talked a lot about that. I am sorry I don't have the link handy but if you have trouble locating it I would be happy to find it.

It's the Hatching Eggs 101, by BYC member Sally Sunshine.

 

[Rockdweller]

Thanks for the link. I've ordered an auto egg turner so I will try again real soon and see what happens. Thanx for the replies to this post.