Day 21 HALP!

[melodystar]

It's a hovabator, model 1583. We are in Ontario, Canada. I have it in a basement closet, since it's my third hatching attempt and I've had issues with temperature fluctuations previous to putting it in the closet. Ugh. I don't know what is happening. Our house is newer and pretty airtight, so the humidity in the house is steady and normal, if anything, on the drier side. I'm going to take a break for a while before I try this again. It is tough to get them so close to the end and lose them (again!!) At least I got the 6 this time. Sigh.

 

[melodystar]

Oh and another question! The chicks I saved are all matted (but dry.) they were pretty much dry in the shells. So do I need to clean them up somehow? They aren't getting fluffy like the other guys.

 

[JaeG]

Chicks can't drown due to high humidity. What was your humidity in the first 18 days? It may need to be lower as that stickiness can be caused by the egg not losing enough moisture, which can also lead to chicks not hatching. There isn't enough space/oxygen in the air cell to keep them going until they can externally pip. Humidity that's too high can also cause sticky chicks and things like using shipped eggs or eggs that were outside for awhile before being collected which have lost more moisture before even starting to be incubated can affect the outcome. There are so many factors!

Here's a great thread discussing high humidity in lockdown: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/lockdown-how-high-is-too-high-on-the-humidity.468984/

This might help too: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...erydry-sticky-dont-hatch.235887/#post-2789143

The necessary humidity is different for everyone as so many things affect it: how porous the shells are, the weather, the climate, the room your incubator is in. It's a case of tracking the air cell growth by candling your eggs regularly and playing around until you work out what's going to work for your incubator and your climate.

 

[JaeG]

Oh and another question! The chicks I saved are all matted (but dry.) they were pretty much dry in the shells. So do I need to clean them up somehow? They aren't getting fluffy like the other guys.

I'd give them a little sponge down with a damp cloth (not wet) but make sure they don't get cold. Is your basement air conditioned or climate controlled or anything? That can really dry out the air which affects your incubator. Wrapping the incubator in blankets can help it keep the temperature up and stable if that's your problem, but make sure they are cotton or wool that breathes, otherwise you will block the air ducts. I'm really sorry this is happening. It is tough to lose babies.

 

[melodystar]

It's not air-conditioned at all. I just don't know. I'll look at the links you posted re. Humidity. Thank you.

 

[melodystar]

Chicks can't drown due to high humidity. What was your humidity in the first 18 days? It may need to be lower as that stickiness can be caused by the egg not losing enough moisture, which can also lead to chicks not hatching. There isn't enough space/oxygen in the air cell to keep them going until they can externally pip. Humidity that's too high can also cause sticky chicks and things like using shipped eggs or eggs that were outside for awhile before being collected which have lost more moisture before even starting to be incubated can affect the outcome. There are so many factors!

Here's a great thread discussing high humidity in lockdown: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/lockdown-how-high-is-too-high-on-the-humidity.468984/

This might help too: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...erydry-sticky-dont-hatch.235887/#post-2789143

The necessary humidity is different for everyone as so many things affect it: how porous the shells are, the weather, the climate, the room your incubator is in. It's a case of tracking the air cell growth by candling your eggs regularly and playing around until you work out what's going to work for your incubator and your climate.

Oh, I should add, the humidity was about 50% for the first 18 days. Eggs were all super fresh, not shipped, not sitting around outside. The temperature stayed steady throughout the first 18 days, since I had the incubator in a closet. Watched it carefully. So it must be the humidity that was the problem..?

 

[lastco]

I agree with @JaeG for the most part. So many variables. I believe that some instances of sticky chick are likely due to circumstances beyond our control. You can't always control egg quality (or even handling, if you're buying hatching eggs). One out of a whole batch is probably just a fluke. Each egg has it's own specific variables, so we just have to try our best to meet the needs of the majority.

That being said, the only time I've had these issues was when my incubator was running a bit too warm. It was within the acceptable range, but on the high end. After exhausting myself with a zillion thermometers, I've figured out how to manage it. No problems since, regardless of humidity.

Everything I read pointed to humidity as the culprit, so I went so far as to experiment with dry incubation after my first awful experience with sticky chicks. It didn't help. Like I said, my temp was within the acceptable range, so I didn't consider it until I realized the humidity wasn't the issue.

If you had sticky chicks AND a low hatch rate, I'd definitely recommend checking the temp with a really good thermometer. Never ever trust the one on the incubator. I also have a hovabator, and I have to adjust it every single time I use it. It was very consistent for a few hatches, but now it's not. It still works like a champ, I just have to be more vigilant.

 

[JaeG]

Oh, I should add, the humidity was about 50% for the first 18 days. Eggs were all super fresh, not shipped, not sitting around outside. The temperature stayed steady throughout the first 18 days, since I had the incubator in a closet. Watched it carefully. So it must be the humidity that was the problem..?

Next time I would try keeping the humidity at 40-45% and see if that makes a difference. Print out one of those diagrams of the air cell size and use it as a reference when you candle your eggs to make sure they are on track. Look up the model of your incubator and see what other people say about how they use it. They are all so different.

 

[melodystar]

I agree with @JaeG for the most part. So many variables. I believe that some instances of sticky chick are likely due to circumstances beyond our control. You can't always control egg quality (or even handling, if you're buying hatching eggs). One out of a whole batch is probably just a fluke. Each egg has it's own specific variables, so we just have to try our best to meet the needs of the majority.

That being said, the only time I've had these issues was when my incubator was running a bit too warm. It was within the acceptable range, but on the high end. After exhausting myself with a zillion thermometers, I've figured out how to manage it. No problems since, regardless of humidity.

Everything I read pointed to humidity as the culprit, so I went so far as to experiment with dry incubation after my first awful experience with sticky chicks. It didn't help. Like I said, my temp was within the acceptable range, so I didn't consider it until I realized the humidity wasn't the issue.

If you had sticky chicks AND a low hatch rate, I'd definitely recommend checking the temp with a really good thermometer. Never ever trust the one on the incubator. I also have a hovabator, and I have to adjust it every single time I use it. It was very consistent for a few hatches, but now it's not. It still works like a champ, I just have to be more vigilant.

Oh I wonder if that's it...I hatched 6 out of 35. Really poor results, and I don't think the humidity was thaaat off.

Next time I would try keeping the humidity at 40-45% and see if that makes a difference. Print out one of those diagrams of the air cell size and use it as a reference when you candle your eggs to make sure they are on track. Look up the model of your incubator and see what other people say about how they use it. They are all so different.

Good tips - thanks.