I will be hatching eggs again soon, Black Copper Marans. this will be my 3rd time hatching. my 1st 2 times were with silkie eggs, no other breeds. they were also shipped eggs, which i know ALSO affects hatch rate. anyway, my hatch rate was poor last year (can't really remember what it was). and i followed everything to a T on humidity etc......i hope i have better luck with my eggs this year, they will be shipped to. i DO remember 2 things that i did last year that may have affected the hatch rate though....1. i candled a LOT. 2. i didn't let them settle for 24 hours before i put them in the bator. i only let them settle for 4 - 8 hours.
