Cleaning an incubator?

[GreenAcresChick]

So on the 24th (day18) I placed 2 fertile eggs with little chicks wigging around inside into my hatching inc. They were supposed to hatch yesterday. No such luck! I candeled this evening and there is no movement. I cleaned the incubator with a diluted bleach/water mixture 3 days prior and rinsed well. Could the bleach gas off and kill my babies? What do I use to clean and disinfect between hatchings? Anyone have any advise?

 

[brahmabreeder]

I clean mine with regular old dish soap and lots of water.

 

[tec27]

Does it smell like bleach in the bator? I just use a sanitizing solution. I think its like 1-2 tablespoons of clorox to a gallon of water. Something like that. Works great. You just dont want it smelling like bleach.

 

[GreenAcresChick]

It doesn't smell like bleach. I don't know what is wrong. I've bought around 35 hatching eggs from various sources and have only hatched 3 chicks

. I have more eggs coming and want to improve my hatch rate before the more expensive ones get here. I know getting eggs shipped makes for lower hatch rates, but I'm only at around 8%. I've read several posts here and am trying to follow all the great advise. I just don't know what to do. They usually candle 50-70% + for blood vessels at 7 days. Then by 14 days down to 30-50%. Then by day 18 only around 20-30%. Then as of today 0% hatch. I'm one frustrated newbie!!!!

 

[brahmabreeder]

What is your humidity? Temperature? Still air or circulated? How/how often are they turned? Do you use clean hands when touching them? It could be many reasons as to why they don't hatch. If you tell me these things I can help you narrow it down as to what could be causing this. I have found that with shipped eggs they have a tendency to quit part way through. I hope your hatches improve.

 

[GreenAcresChick]

I'm glad you replied as I have golden laced Brahma eggs to arrive next week and they weren't cheap. I have 2 incubators. Hovabator (forced air) with auto turner I use the first 18 days. It stays around 99.5-101 and humidity 45-55%. Then I move them to a Little Giant to hatch. It averages temp ranges from 101-103 and humidity 65-80%. I have recently removed all the plugs from the vent holes because I read the chicks could be asphyxiating from not enough air. The temps vary some but I believe in a safe range? Any advise? Especially on hatching Brahmas!

 

[brahmabreeder]

The actual incubating part sounds good. Right around where I keep mine. The other one though could be slightly cooler. When they are hatching I've read you can reduce the temp. a few degrees lower (97.5). I never have issues hatching brahmas. They only once needed help from me. Good luck I hope they arrive/ hatch fine. Mine was a degree and a half lower when they were hatching and all went well.

 

[GreenAcresChick]

I forgot the Little Giant I use as a hatcher is still air. That's why I ran it warmer. Should I still drop the temp?

 

[brahmabreeder]

Hmmm I have never hatched in a still air before. I would say take it down some still, since it gets to 103 and maybe make the top temp. in there be 101 and the lowest be 97.5.

 

[starlingsbaby]

i have a still air and i keep mine in between the high at 101 and the low 98 and all mine hatch. i love my still air. good luck.