Half my batch is gone

[Broodygranny]

I agree with everyone else. If they are only developed part way, then dying, I would investigate the incubator. Look up how to properly calibrate your thermometer and hydrometer. I hope it goes better next time. So sorry to hear about your eggs!

 

[bbond]

So if that one is correct, your incubator was 104ish, that will definitely kill chicks. (Very briefly at that temp won’t automatically kill them, but prolonged, it will)

I meant the new one is reading 95 so that would mean the incubator is reading 4 degrees warmer than it actually is. Trying a third (in oven meat) thermometer now.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

One made it about 10 days and quit. The other two quit anywhere from day 14-16. It may be because I waited a few days to pop them into the incubator? I have a little giant. The humidity was reading 45 the whole time and temp at 99.3-.5 when i checked today one had a blood ring and the other two looked like the yolks broke down. Didn’t open them just from candling it looked like the yolks had separated.

I have 2 of the little giants, and I just bought different incubators. The humidity discs do not work do not go by that. You need to get other thermometer/hygrometers to set inside those incubators. Even with the fan heater you will need to rearrange the eggs because the temperature inside is all over the place. Its probably not you or the eggs, its literally the incubator. You can make it work, it will just take a lot of extra time every day.

 

[bbond]

I have 2 of the little giants, and I just bought different incubators. The humidity discs do not work do not go by that. You need to get other thermometer/hygrometers to set inside those incubators. Even with the fan heater you will need to rearrange the eggs because the temperature inside is all over the place. Its probably not you or the eggs, its literally the incubator. You can make it work, it will just take a lot of extra time every day.

Oh man. Just ordered a new hygrometer/ thermometer to set in it. Have two other thermometers hooked up to it currently and using an average. It’s a bummer that it’s not working well. My first hatch with it went well and the humidity and temp seemed much more accurate.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

Yeah, mine went bad after my first hatches in them too. The hygrometer is really junk... I can have boiling water in mine and it will say 49%. I bought both of mine 2 years ago or so.. I currently have turkey eggs in one right now, I have to babysit it constantly. It got a little warmer yesterday and my incubator temperature shot up and I had to piddle with the temperature for 2 hours to get it back on track...

 

[bbond]

Yeah, mine went bad after my first hatches in them too. The hygrometer is really junk... I can have boiling water in mine and it will say 49%. I bought both of mine 2 years ago or so.. I currently have turkey eggs in one right now, I have to babysit it constantly. It got a little warmer yesterday and my incubator temperature shot up and I had to piddle with the temperature for 2 hours to get it back on track...

Oh no!! I am just about to buy some hatching eggs. Hopefully I can keep the temp stable because it’s in my bathroom. My husband is very supportive of my chicken endeavors but I doubt that would extend to a completely new incubator.

 

[Mosey2003]

I feel like a broken record, but if you can afford a Little Giant, get a HovaBator instead.

Little Giants are notorious for temperature spikes and being unreliable in general.

I'm sorry you're having trouble.

 

[bbond]

I feel like a broken record, but if you can afford a Little Giant, get a HovaBator instead.

Little Giants are notorious for temperature spikes and being unreliable in general.

I'm sorry you're having trouble.

I had no idea when I bought it years ago... it was just the one available at the store. Guess I’d better start looking for a better one. This company should be ashamed.

 

[Mosey2003]

I had no idea when I bought it years ago... it was just the one available at the store. Guess I’d better start looking for a better one. This company should be ashamed.

I know, that's how so many people end up with them.

I recommend this one:
https://incubatorwarehouse.com/hova-bator-2370-electrnic-thermostat-hova-bator.html

With this turner rather than the flat one they offer:
https://incubatorwarehouse.com/egg-incubator-accessories/hova-bator-egg-turner-chicken.html

That's about $100, same as the Farm Innovators with their turner, and GQF is vastly more reliable.

 

[bbond]

So finally got the temp where i need it kind of right where the eggs are. I can’t believe how off the unit is. OMG.