Fully Formed chicks not hatching

[Colie <3]

I've been searching through the forums and can't find a situation quite like mine so I'm posting. Sorry if this is a repeat

I've been having horrible luck hatching so I finally opened up the way past due eggs to see what was going on. Out of 9 eggs, one hatched, two weren't developed and the rest died in the shell fully formed. Two of those were pipped internally.
I ran the temps right around 100 degrees in a forced air and I kept the humidity around 30-40% the first 18 days adding water when the humidity dropped to 25%. Then I raised it to about 60% for the last three days.
The air cells when I opened the eggs seemed to be pretty large, almost too large verging on half the size of the egg. I live in a very dry climate my house is never more than 20% humidity. Did my attempt at semi-dry incubation cause this?

 

[Peep Talk]

I'm having the same problem with my own eggs. I don't know what's going on. Every single one of them is fully formed but never hatches. They die in the egg. I've had wonderful hatches in the past, but for some reason, these just aren't working. Only difference from your hatching situation is that mine is a still air incubator. If someone can help, we could both use the help!

 

[Colie <3]

Peep Talk how is the climate where you live as far as humidity goes? I'm trying to come up with whatever it is I'm missing. The next batch I'm going to incubate with a little more humidity I guess.

 

[heathersboers]

We had the same problem last night.... I don't know what is going on..we usually have great hatch rates..our 1202 is old as.methusal. and the humidity wouldn't stay up.....well back to plan B....wait..does anyone have a plan B?...

 

[ChickenPox]

You're hatching silkies, right? Mine are doing the same thing. Not all of them, but a few. I would love to know what's causing it too. May be one of those things we may never know. Although my forced air hatches are run at 99.6 and the ones who make it usually hatch a full day early. So maybe the temps are just a smidge too high? I don't know, wish I had a better suggestion for you!

 

[ChickenPox]

Oh, and I meant to add that I think your humidity is fine. I lived in El Paso, so keeping it where you got it can't be an easy feat!

 

[Colie <3]

Yes indeedy I'm hatching silkies. I'm having early hatchers too but I'm running from 99-100 so idk!
My thoughts are maybe I should incubate at higher humidity 1-18 or else I should hatch at a higher humidity? I'd think they would drown much higher though so ugh back to square one.

 

[Colie <3]

Quote:
dry dry dry! lol the hardest part is keeping the humidity up during lockdown. I should probably start sleeping next to the incubator so I can add water more frequently those last three days!

 

[Peep Talk]

Colie <3 :

Peep Talk how is the climate where you live as far as humidity goes? I'm trying to come up with whatever it is I'm missing. The next batch I'm going to incubate with a little more humidity I guess.

We are having a lot of rain, so the humidity is pretty high here. I've kept my humidity at good rates though. I don't know what was going on. I didn't even order these eggs. They came from my own flock of Easter Eggers.

I'm hoping to try again in a couple of weeks.

 

[ChickenPox]

Maybe move from El Paso?

Sorry I'm no help. Is there any way you might can get some regular ole farm eggs to practice on first before you hatch the silkie eggs?

We were stationed at Fort Bliss from 1999-2001....longest 2.5 years of my life! Hahaha!