Fully Formed Chick *Icky Pics Warning*

[2manyhats]

Quote:
Shell color doesn't cause humidity or moisture exchange issues. Could you please explain what you mean here?

According to some research that I did when I had the failed hatches, the really dark shells have smaller pores. It makes the air exchange more difficult. On the first 2 hatches, I had the humidity at 65-75% or so in a still air bator and they drowned. The successful hatch was at 60% in a circulated air bator. Did great!

 

[MissPrissy]

65 - 75% during the entire incubation?

 

[Katy]

If they were shipped eggs I'd say that probably had more to do with it than the fact they were dark shelled. Also the fact that you used a forced air incubator the second time also more than likely made a difference. 75% is too high for an egg no matter what color the shell is.

 

[priszilla]

I have found them like that under broodies- it sometimes just happens no matter what.

 

[Ms. Lewis Rich]

Good to know thanks.

 

[2manyhats]

Quote:
Let me clear this up. These were local, hand delivered to me eggs. I had the humidity at 65-75% during hatch only and was able to successfully hatch out 4 buckeyes and 3 BB Orps in that incubator. No other chick drowned in that incubation except the Cuckoo Marans. So, I looked up hatching dark eggs and it suggested trying slightly lower humidity. I read that the dark coating on the eggs causes there to be smaller pores and limits the air flow in and out of the shell. So I lowered my humidity a bit and used the circulated air bator to assist and got a great hatch. All eggs that developed, hatched. Myth or not, I was pleased with the hatch and will use the circulated air bator and slightly lower humidity from now on with Marans.

 

[Katy]

We all have to do what we've learned works for us.

 

[MissPrissy]

Thanks for clearing that up. The way the statement read it was the entire hatch had high humidity. When building the homemade incubators it is a similar situation you have to find the right combination of elements that lead to a successful hatch.

 

[spook]

Interestingly, through the years of hatching eggs, we have often had a thunderstorm about day 16-18 regardless to incubator or brood hen, duck or goose.
Most of you folks claim where you don't believe this is a factor. Be it where I live and other poultry folks in the same type area with a lot of granite ledge and moisture in the ground.
We have even noticed a heavy T-storm year with wild geese, loons and ducks in the wild.

 

[SterlingAcres]

I've had at least a dozen of those this year. Guineas and chooks. It's so sad