Let me start off by saying I’ve already learned a great deal just from browsing the forum before joining, so thanks!
I wanted to post an intro/first hatch to see where I might have messed up as my first setting was less than stellar.
I ordered the eggs online, 9 Serama and 12 Isabelle Leghorns.When I received the eggs I let them settle to room temperature for about 12 hours then put them into the incubator. I have two Hova Bator 1602n models that were set up and waiting for them.
i decided to put them all in the same incubator since one seemed to heat more consistently. Before adding water the incubator settled at 16% humidity at 99-100f. I used three separate gauges to monitor heat and humidity. A simple analog thermometer, a digital Accurite temp/humidity, a jump start temp monitor.
keeping the temp steady was a real pain, the humidity was ever worse. I was having to add water daily to maintain 30-40%. Doing so made the temp drop to low 90s each time.
6 of the 12 leghorns were not fertile or failed early on. The last 6 failed about 1-3 days before hatching. Only three of the Seramas hatched, the rest were either not fertile or failed early.
Is this to be expected from shipped eggs? Was opening each day to add water the issue? I’m really disappointed that the Isabelle Leghorns didn’t hatch! Any advice is appreciated!
I wanted to post an intro/first hatch to see where I might have messed up as my first setting was less than stellar.
I ordered the eggs online, 9 Serama and 12 Isabelle Leghorns.When I received the eggs I let them settle to room temperature for about 12 hours then put them into the incubator. I have two Hova Bator 1602n models that were set up and waiting for them.
i decided to put them all in the same incubator since one seemed to heat more consistently. Before adding water the incubator settled at 16% humidity at 99-100f. I used three separate gauges to monitor heat and humidity. A simple analog thermometer, a digital Accurite temp/humidity, a jump start temp monitor.
keeping the temp steady was a real pain, the humidity was ever worse. I was having to add water daily to maintain 30-40%. Doing so made the temp drop to low 90s each time.
6 of the 12 leghorns were not fertile or failed early on. The last 6 failed about 1-3 days before hatching. Only three of the Seramas hatched, the rest were either not fertile or failed early.
Is this to be expected from shipped eggs? Was opening each day to add water the issue? I’m really disappointed that the Isabelle Leghorns didn’t hatch! Any advice is appreciated!
