Do hovabators ever go bad? UPDATE 11/24

[Rare Feathers Farm]

I have one I bought in 2000 or 2001 that just now is starting to have issues holding it's temp. I bought a new wafer and a new fan for it and it's humming along right now. It's hatched everything from Muscovies & Sebbies to chickens and lizards.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

See, I think it IS holding its temps. The thermometer indicates that it is running at the same temp it has all summer. It's just that the chicks are dying in the shell.

 

[EweSheep]

I've had Hovabator Genesis, just plug and go.

Yes they do go bad one day.....I had one that has a bad thermostat and I replaced it. Runs fine.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

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What kind of thermometer are you using? What's your humidity? Is it a turbo fan or a still air?

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Fully developed and dying in the shell usually indicates a humidity issue before hatching...what is your humidity during incubation? And what is it after "lock down?"

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

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This.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

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If it had a bad thermostat, wouldn't I see the thermometer fluctuating? It has held constant at 99 for three weeks.

 

[chickee]

If you were having great hatches and the only thing you have changed is using cartons for turning, It sure sounds like that could be the problem. I wish I was doing something different that I could change and see if my hatches would get better! I need to try some of my own eggs once my BLRWs start laying and see if the problem is the shipped eggs!?

But like you, I was getting better hatch rates with shipped eggs earlier in the year

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

But all kinds of people on here use the cartons to hatch. I have used a different carton each time too or I would think one was just contaminated. Dunno.

I'm trying to decide if I should give it one last try. I've killed three rounds now. I feel kind of guilty about trying a fourth time. Plus it is getting late in the year to be moving chicks outside.

 

[EweSheep]

I've used egg turners and egg cartons to hatch and they did just fine.

Was it syrofoam? If so, it might be the fumes coming off of it when it is in higher temps. I use paper cartons, easier to soak up the mess.