First Time hatching eggs, egg sacks too small

[AmyLynn2374]

Chickie #3 still has thin yellow yolk cord attached to his umbilicus, about 1/2" long. There were never any unabsorbed vessels or any bleeding. Is there anything I should do. He seems to be doing great! Much stronger than #1 was at his age. I am trying to get a feel for their personalities a little more before I name them.
The incubator was all smeared with post hatch yuck and poopie and smelling yucky. I had to remove the cheesecloth and replace with paper towels and more water for humanity. We have 2 hygrometers in addition to the LG's that I don't believe ever worked. Maintaining humidity was so very difficult, even before having to help last chick.
I am so heartsick

-I am pretty sure that the rest of the eggs did not make it. I quickly candled them when changed out liner in bator and I don't believe any of them survived. We are keeping the bator going because I know they can hatch late, but I didn't get any movement.

I have to tell you AmyLynn, I just don't think I can keep up with the LG. You are amazing to be able to do what you do to make it work! First we had too much humidity which did much damage, then when we needed it high, we couldn't maintain it. I just cannot believe, living here in Louisiana, that it should be so difficult to maintain a consistent high humidity. I don't know what else could have made this happen. I knew we were working on borrowed time, but when we had 3 begin their hatch, I was sure at least 1 or 2 more would follow. Over 40 eggs and only 2, especially when so many had been developing and alive, is just devastating to me.

Thank you again for all of your support and encouragement, AmyLynn and Chicapee!

We would probably not had 2 successful hatches without your advice. I would appreciate your advice on the umbilical attachment.

Blessings and peace.

The LGs are tricky and the 9300 is worse than the 9200. My first hatch was a total fail, not becasue of the actual bator but the thermometer I trusted, but I know what you mean about having them develop and not hatch. I had 17 that were moving and alive when I went into lockdown with that hatch and one that hatched and survived (out of two). It was hard to swallow that they other ones made it that far and died.

High humidity in the styro bators, in my opinion, is the leading cause (next to heat spikes) in the LGs especially.

As for the cord. You can either let it dry up and fall off or tie it off and cut it. If you have bacitracin or antibiotic with out the pain reliever you can put that at the "navel".

 

[AmyLynn2374]

At lockdown if you need to higher the humidity the easiest and in my opinion best way to get an extra boost is (with water wells full) add a couple wet sponges on the screen of the bator and if the humdity starts to drop re wet the sponges. Usually unless the hatcher is in a real arid environment, it works well.

 

[luvmychickenz]

We had the wells all filled, it made humidity too high. When we used just the sponges and not the water wells, the humidity would go to 85% then dry out to 40% within a couple of hours. It was such a battle. So then we finally filled some of the wells, but it still was constant watching, filling. Then it would go to high, have to dry out, continual cycle of losing battle.

But, I am done. I will never incubate using the LG ever again. The humidity and temp issues, the 2 most important things to maintain accurately, are the 2 things that have the big issues. Well enough complaining about LG. It was user fault on our end, as well ,because we didn't use a second hygrometer to compare and regulate.

I am so sorry about your loss, but it helps to know how much you truly can empathize with others when you are walking them through this. Thank you for using what you have been through to help so very many others. You are a truly a blessing.

We will enjoy and take care of our 2 new little babies you and chicapee walked us through.

Blessings and peace

I will keep you posted our next go round when we get a new bator.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

We had the wells all filled, it made humidity too high. When we used just the sponges and not the water wells, the humidity would go to 85% then dry out to 40% within a couple of hours. It was such a battle. So then we finally filled some of the wells, but it still was constant watching, filling. Then it would go to high, have to dry out, continual cycle of losing battle.

But, I am done. I will never incubate using the LG ever again. The humidity and temp issues, the 2 most important things to maintain accurately, are the 2 things that have the big issues. Well enough complaining about LG. It was user fault on our end, as well ,because we didn't use a second hygrometer to compare and regulate.

I am so sorry about your loss, but it helps to know how much you truly can empathize with others when you are walking them through this. Thank you for using what you have been through to help so very many others. You are a truly a blessing.

We will enjoy and take care of our 2 new little babies you and chicapee walked us through.

Blessings and peace

I will keep you posted our next go round when we get a new bator.

You are not the first one to "complain" about the LG. It is the one incubator I never recommend....lol Thank you for the kind words. I wish the best for you and the new ones and hopefully some better hatches in the future.

 

[luvmychickenz]

Late last night I decided to do float test. Guess wht

 

[luvmychickenz]

Guess what, we were shocked to find we had 3 movers! Woke up to a pip this morning at 2:30. Look who made his new arrival. We are estatic!!

. He had some struggle. Used your peeping chickies video multiple times AmyLynn and I swear it energized him each time.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Guess what, we were shocked to find we had 3 movers! Woke up to a pip this morning at 2:30. Look who made his new arrival. We are estatic!!. He had some struggle. Used your peeping chickies video multiple times AmyLynn and I swear it energized him each time.

That's great! I swear by that video...lol I'll be lost if they ever take it off youtube...lol

 

[chicapee]

What a roller coaster ride you have had. I always do the float test on any eggs that I have left following the main hatch. You have gained a great deal of experience just from this hatch. We all do and learn how to improve conditions for the next batch. I am currently on my 4th hatch. My last one was 78% using local eggs and was my best yet. This time I am using shipped eggs that arrived in an appalling condition. If any of them hatch it will be a miracle. I am really happy for you that all was not lost. Best wishes for future hatches.

 

[luvmychickenz]

It has certainly been a roller coaster ride! We had another delivery today.

He was peeping internally last night, and today I woke up to find he had pipped. However, the outer membrane was tan and dry. (Again, the battle of the humidity. But, I also wonder if it was because he was late. He did well but again was another that needed some assistance. It ended up that the membrane was so thick and gummy it was wrapped around his foot and one of his toes are crooked, but its straightening out more now that he is using it. Also, one of his wings seems to be a little off than the other, but he is lifting and stretching it just fine and is doing great.

I want you to know that I named one of our chicks, Chicapee in honor of you. I would have done same for AmyLynn, but her name doesn't quite seem like a chicken name choice

Did float test on remaining eggs after he went into the brooder, and one was gone. There is still another and he was moving still, but there hasn't been an internal pip yet I guess since I don't hear any peeping. But tomorrow makes 24 days. I don't know what to do about that one.

We are really interested in getting some specific breeds and were interested in getting eggs shipped (after I get a new incubator), but I was wondering how they could be safely shipped. I read stories about detached air sacks. I would love to know how it works out for you since we are seriously considering. I was also curious if they gave refunds if they were delivered in poor conditions.

We do feel like this has been a huge learning experience for us. I believe that we experienced it all in one batch. I would never ever want to do it again or to lose so many eggs, but we now feel like we have a good grasp on the anatomy, signs of trouble, how to intervene with more confidence. We are so very grateful for the information and advice that we received from BYC and are thankful for people like you and AmyLynn that share their knowledge so patiently and compassionately.

I hope that I won't have to bug y'all any more with this last hatch. I just pray that the chickie lives, since it is past due. I pray that your next hatch goes well!!.

Thanks so much for your support and encouragement!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

What a roller coaster ride you have had. I always do the float test on any eggs that I have left following the main hatch. You have gained a great deal of experience just from this hatch. We all do and learn how to improve conditions for the next batch. I am currently on my 4th hatch. My last one was 78% using local eggs and was my best yet. This time I am using shipped eggs that arrived in an appalling condition. If any of them hatch it will be a miracle. I am really happy for you that all was not lost. Best wishes for future hatches.

Appalling is an understatment.