first hatch went BAD,so sad

[Bare bottom farm]

HI all I had 38 eggs in the bator and only13 hatched. I open they other eggs and two looked like they passed around the 10 day mark and they others look like the passed in lock down they had just started to absorb the yolk. What in the world went wrong???

I use a little giant still air with egg tuner, then took the egg tuner out the last 3 days. When the babies hatched out they ran all over they other eggs and two pipped up side and died. temp was 99 to 101 and the hum between 45-60 the first 18 days then 76-85 the last three. Now I did a know know I opened the bator to get chickies that had hatch out due to them running all over they other eggs... Any info would be helpfull.

I'am going to do another hatch on feb 10th in a hova bator forced air with egg tuner. Should I put the eggs in some thing like a egg carton so when the babies hatch out that they don't run all over them??? I just need so much help... Thank you all so much!!!!

 

[NicoleRM]

I have my first carton hatch going now, and I'm loving it. I think the fan is going to make a big difference in your next hatch. I've never had much luck with still air incubating. Were your eggs shipped? That can put a big dent in your hatch rate too.

 

[Bare bottom farm]

All but 8 where shipped. I have a question I know shipping is hard on the eggs but if they made it to the lock down what could have made them die like that?

 

[HEChicken]

Sorry your hatch didn't go so well. It all sounds good. The only suggestion I would make would be to lower the humidity for the first 18 days. Too high humidity early in incubation can cause fluid to build up in the egg, and they drown when they pip internally and are met by a gush of liquid. I kept my humidity in the 30's until lockdown. During lockdown you want to increase the humidity, so that they don't shrink wrap after pipping. My goal for lockdown was 60-70%. I think I've seen that others prefer 50-60% for lockdown. Good luck on your next hatch!

 

[NicoleRM]

Quote:
That I'm not sure of, but I had exactly the same experience with my still air bator and shipped eggs. I think it's pretty common. Mine never internally pipped, so I know they didn't drown.

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

...the hum between 45-60 the first 18 days then 76-85 the last three....

Hi! Sounds like your humidity might be too high.
Good luck with the next hatch. Sometimes, it's a matter of trial-and-error to find what works best for your location etc.
Here, I can run the incubators completely dry the first 18 days and the chicks hatch great.

Lisa​

 

[Bare bottom farm]

Quote:
Thank you so much! I'am looking forward to this next hatch hopeing I will do better...

 

[Bare bottom farm]

Quote:
Hi! Sounds like your humidity might be too high.
Good luck with the next hatch. Sometimes, it's a matter of trial-and-error to find what works best for your location etc.
Here, I can run the incubators completely dry the first 18 days and the chicks hatch great.

Lisa

WOW you know I thought I had done my home work on the temp and hum. but it seems like I was miss in formed maybe????
SO with the next hatch I will keep the hum down ...

Has anyone had any expen with carton hatching??

 

[Bare bottom farm]

Quote:
That I'm not sure of, but I had exactly the same experience with my still air bator and shipped eggs. I think it's pretty common. Mine never internally pipped, so I know they didn't drown.

WOuld you care to keep me post on how your hatch with the carton gose?? Thanks

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Quote:
I suggest lowering your humidity the first 18 days. I keep mine around the 40% range and then for the last 3 days nothing above 65% to 70 if that.

I hatch always on the wire floor. Chicks running and knocking the eggs around will not hurt the unhatched. If anything it helps the chicks inside the egg to hear peeping and hatch out.