Diagnosing Incubation Issues

[Amanda_seth1982]

So I recently had an absolutely awful hatch, 4 out of 32, one assisted hatch which was later pts due to leg deformation.
I did the deed on the eggs and most of them had fully formed chicks in which is absolutely soul destroying. My initial thought was “humidity too low during lockdown” but I physically couldn’t have got it any higher, both water channels were full to overflowing, humidity around 65-75% according to the incubator.
I purchased a second thermometer/hygrometer and popped it inside the incubator. It showed that the temperature was 2 degrees lower than the digital display on the incubator.
So now I’m in dilemma, which thermometer do I trust? Would the chicks have even formed if the temp was 2 degrees too low? Do I set it somewhere in the middle for the next hatch and hope for the best? I really want a decent hatch next time!
The second thermometer I bought was a thermo pro which have pretty good reviews.
Any ideas/experiences/expertise would be massively appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

 

[HatchCraft]

So I recently had an absolutely awful hatch, 4 out of 32, one assisted hatch which was later pts due to leg deformation.
I did the deed on the eggs and most of them had fully formed chicks in which is absolutely soul destroying. My initial thought was “humidity too low during lockdown” but I physically couldn’t have got it any higher, both water channels were full to overflowing, humidity around 65-75% according to the incubator.
I purchased a second thermometer/hygrometer and popped it inside the incubator. It showed that the temperature was 2 degrees lower than the digital display on the incubator.
So now I’m in dilemma, which thermometer do I trust? Would the chicks have even formed if the temp was 2 degrees too low? Do I set it somewhere in the middle for the next hatch and hope for the best? I really want a decent hatch next time!
The second thermometer I bought was a thermo pro which have pretty good reviews.
Any ideas/experiences/expertise would be massively appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

I don't think it's humidity issue related. I've successfully hatched all except for 1 who made it to pip at a 40% humidity rate throughout incubation. Though it could be strong genetics with mine that made them tougher and able to break out of their shells? I don't know though, they are of the Oriental Gamefowl breed if it matters.

 

[HatchCraft]

Over the years I've had my share of fail hatches as well. An accurate thermometer you can trust is essential. I'm not a big fan of the digitals having test numerus inexpensive models. I'm sure there are accurate ones if you are willing to pay enough, but most only claim an accuracy of around 2 deg f. One reasonably priced exception is the brinsea spot check. It seemed accurate but mine was short lived. Its my opinion you are better off with a glass type thermometer to use as a standard when in doubt about your temp. If the eggs hatched on day 21 your average temp was good. This doesn't rule out brief high temperature spikes which affect the hatch. Hatched early, temp was to high . Late hatch, temp to low. There are so many variable that will affect the hatch, but a steady precise temp is the most important.

 

[aart]

There are so many variable that will affect the hatch, but a steady precise temp is the most important.

Absolutely!

So now I’m in dilemma, which thermometer do I trust?

Test your therms (and hygros) against a know accurate therm,
I like to use a medical therm as a standard:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...incubator-thermometers-and-hygrometers.73634/

 

[Kiki]

Humidity too high through out the whole process is bad, IMO.
X2 on getting both calibrated thermometers and a humidity guage in there before you set again.

 

[Sprayanimal]

Brinsea has a great article on humidity issues very informative. I had some bad hatches at first being a novice. It sounds like you’re humidity was too high many fully formed chicks dead in the shells. Your hen eggs need to lose 12% of weight first 18 days 14 % will do but shoot for the 12. You need a graham scale. Weight a few eggs when you set them. Mark the weight on the eggs. Then weight again every 5 days and adjust your humidity to compensate as needed If they dont loose enough they will be too big to hatch properly. Too much loss causes weak chicks. Its better to be a little under weight than over. I’ve had great luck running 35 to 40% humidity first 18 days I live at 3000 ft elevation mild humidity.

 

[LynnaePB]

Did the 4 eggs that did make it hatch on day 21? If so the temperature couldn't have been too far off though I would definitely get a good thermometer/hygrometer that can be calibrated to check to see what the temperature and humidity are.

With a lot of DIS (dead in shell) chicks I would suspect the humidity was too high as well throughout incubation. 65-75% for lockdown shouldn't have been problem, around that range is what I aim to achieve for lockdown myself. I live in a humid state so I have to incubate dry a lot of the time in the spring/summer for days 1-18 (25-30% is usually good in the more humid times of year for me and around 40% in winter when it is less humid). A lot of incubator instructions recommend a humidity that is too high for a lot of people for days 1-18 unfortunately which can lead to problems for those new to incubating.

I'm so sorry you had such a bad hatch, I hope the next one goes much better!

 

[Silexian]

It sounds more like your humidity was too high. Rather than your temperature being too low. With too much humidity, vapor condensates in the air cell. When the chick pips internally, it drowns. After losing the majority of a couple batches of eggs, like you are describing. I stopped raising the humidity at hatch time. I have never had that type of situation again.

 

[RoosterML]

It sounds more like your humidity was too high. Rather than your temperature being too low. With too much humidity, vapor condensates in the air cell. When the chick pips internally, it drowns. After losing the majority of a couple batches of eggs, like you are describing. I stopped raising the humidity at hatch time. I have never had that type of situation again.

X2 I think those who raise the humidity sky high at lock down are making a mistake. 50% at lockdown I have found to be perfect once eggs start to hatch humidity will skyrocket on its own. Also to high humidity during incubation period your chicks grow to big to move around to pip/zip/and hatch. 40% humidity during incubation and 50% during hatch time has severed me well.