Chicks fully developed but die before hatching?

[WVduckchick]

Okay say my problem is ventaltion related and I drilled some holes. I always read about closing the vent holes and opening them up on day 18. What do you suggest?

I wouldn't drill any holes just yet. Get new meters and check them, then set it up just like you did for this hatch and see what the actual readings turn out to be. And adjust from there. I truly believe the incubator itself is giving inaccurate readings. Then try a new hatch with accurate settings. And leave the vents open all the time.

In my signature line is a link to my humidity article that may also be helpful to you.

 

[JollyMonster]

I wouldn't drill any holes just yet. Get new meters and check them, then set it up just like you did for this hatch and see what the actual readings turn out to be. And adjust from there. I truly believe the incubator itself is giving inaccurate readings. Then try a new hatch with accurate settings. And leave the vents open all the time.

In my signature line is a link to my humidity article that may also be helpful to you.

I’ve been getting geared up to start a new batch. I put some themoters in and the top is 110° and the bottom was 102° that defiantly explains why they hatched early and 85% of the top shelf died. I lowered the temp. It helped the top but it dropped the lower shelf to low so I think it’s coming down to I need vent holes on the top to allow the extra heat out.

 

[WVduckchick]

110 would be lethal, not just rush the hatch. Anything consistently above about 106 would kill them. So let it stabilize before you do anything drastic. Of course you can always cover/plug holes if you need to.