The details: Hovabator 1602 + auto-turner for incubating, temp steady at 100-101 for 18 days, humidity wasn't as constant as I would have liked, but was better than previous hatches -- usually between 50%-60%. Moved the 35 eggs (out of 40 that I set) into the hatcher, Hovabator 1588, for final days, temp was steady at 100, humidity steady at about 70% -- I had all the water wells filled and a damp sponge, which prevented any fluctuation that I was able to catch. Yesterday was day 21.
Even with all the humidity (considerably more than in my previous hatches), a large number of the chicks are sticking to their shells/membranes. Two or three have died in their shells after starting to zip. One had frothy looking fluid (probably yolk) leaking out of the shell, probably causing chick to drown -- though survival would've been questionable. One had pipped on Friday morning, after more than 24 hours she hadn't made any further progress but was still breathing. I helped removed the shell, but she still couldn't break free from the membrane. By the time I helped her get completely free, it was pretty obvious she wasn't going to make it -- almost every part of her body had stuck to membrane.
This morning I woke to find one chick that had hatched but had membrane stuck to its down. Another, that was almost out last night was still partially stuck in the shell. Another had died after beginning to zip. Out of 35 eggs, day 22 started with only 10 chicks moving around in the bator. I think the one that I helped yesterday died over night, but I haven't done a thorough check of the washcloth I left her wrapped in to see if her body's in there or if she's one of the ones moving around.
Since the incubation process seemed to be better controlled this time than the last two times, there must be something wrong with my flock that's creating less than strong chicks. Frustrating.
edited to add one bright note: The chick that I was convinced wouldn't make it though the night isn't inside the washcloth, she must be one of the live ones moving around and getting strong.
Even with all the humidity (considerably more than in my previous hatches), a large number of the chicks are sticking to their shells/membranes. Two or three have died in their shells after starting to zip. One had frothy looking fluid (probably yolk) leaking out of the shell, probably causing chick to drown -- though survival would've been questionable. One had pipped on Friday morning, after more than 24 hours she hadn't made any further progress but was still breathing. I helped removed the shell, but she still couldn't break free from the membrane. By the time I helped her get completely free, it was pretty obvious she wasn't going to make it -- almost every part of her body had stuck to membrane.
This morning I woke to find one chick that had hatched but had membrane stuck to its down. Another, that was almost out last night was still partially stuck in the shell. Another had died after beginning to zip. Out of 35 eggs, day 22 started with only 10 chicks moving around in the bator. I think the one that I helped yesterday died over night, but I haven't done a thorough check of the washcloth I left her wrapped in to see if her body's in there or if she's one of the ones moving around.
Since the incubation process seemed to be better controlled this time than the last two times, there must be something wrong with my flock that's creating less than strong chicks. Frustrating.
edited to add one bright note: The chick that I was convinced wouldn't make it though the night isn't inside the washcloth, she must be one of the live ones moving around and getting strong.
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