Completely Stumped

[Stumped]

Discouraged...have HovaBator 1588, automatic egg turner, the proper thermometer and a hygrometer. I keep the temperature at 99.5, humidity at 50 for first 18 days, then increase to 65+, My first hatch in April was very poor, only 10 out of 29 that had developed chicks actually hatched, several more pipped and died. I did some research and discovered I had the thermometer in the wrong spot. So I incubated 42 more eggs. I only removed 5 that had not developed when I took the turner out on day 18. I filled the troughs and got the humidity up to 65. I've always struggled to get it up there with the tray that came with the incubator. Same thing this time...had 13 hatch no problem, 2 were nearly out of the shell and died, I took out 7 more that had pipped and died. What am I missing or not understanding? It feels like such a waste! I would be thrilled to get 20 chicks out of 42 eggs.

 

[bobbi-j]

Until this year, I've NEVER had even a 50% hatch. I was thrilled to get 25 out of 42. I know some people have excellent hatches all the time - I don't know if it's the bigger, more expensive incubators or what. But I also see posts from people who have the table-top style of incubators and just don't have good hatch rates. My opinion is, nothing is as effective as letting a broody hatch out a batch of chicks. She's the right temperature, right humidity, and perfect egg turner. I know that not everyone has that option, but I think that's the best way to get a good hatch.

 

[tec27]

Try lowering your humidity. I do a dry hatch for the first 18 days. Humidity around 20-30. Then bump it up to 70. This worked better for me and i saw an increase in hatch rate.