Hard-Knock Hatches

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

This is the first time I have tried hatching eggs in the winter and I am failing miserably. At first I thought it was because shipping killed the eggs, which was partly true. But that was two tries ago. I just recently tried three of my own eggs with the same result. I had one chick. One. Out of fifteen.
The egg-topsy reveals that three eggs died two or three days before the hatch. One died about a week out, and one only made it a few days. The rest were either blood ring or clear. Why such staggered deaths?
Humidity was 40-50 during normal days, and 55-60 during the last three days. Is my humidity detector off? I know the temperature is correct because I used multiple thermometers.

 

[Maddison]

get a hygrometer. assuming yours is built in 9/10 they are never accurate, once you get a hygrometer test its accuracy, google 'hygrometer test'.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

First off, get rid of multiple thermometers. What do they tell you if each is giving a different reading? Calibrate one thermometer via a medical oral thermometer and stick with that one. Only one.

Are you adjusting the temperature throughout the incubation? For the chicks that have made it in last few attempts- what day are they hatching on? Do you have a forced air or still air incubator? Do you manually turn or use an auto turner?

Let's get some info on your setup and your technique. From there I'm sure we can pinpoint what's going on.

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

First off, get rid of multiple thermometers. What do they tell you if each is giving a different reading? Calibrate one thermometer via a medical oral thermometer and stick with that one. Only one.

Are you adjusting the temperature throughout the incubation? For the chicks that have made it in last few attempts- what day are they hatching on? Do you have a forced air or still air incubator? Do you manually turn or use an auto turner?

Let's get some info on your setup and your technique. From there I'm sure we can pinpoint what's going on.

Haha, I don't have thermometers sticking out every whicha-where. I guess I should have used the word 'calibrate' when talking about that. There's just one, and I know it to be accurate. They all gave me the same 99.5*. I did not touch the heating controls after I put the eggs in.
It's forced-air and automatic turner, tabletop size.
I've also hatched eggs out of it before, with pretty good hatch rate. Just not this time of year. It has been in storage between now and then, though, so it may have messed it up.
I've been on the hunt for a hydrometer, but as of right now am using the built-in one.

 

[BantyChooks]

Hatch rates during this time of year are sometimes just miserable with no explanation---many of us on the Minnesota thread have noted this. It's likely due to egg temperatures before collection. Is it cold where you are?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Fertility rate can be low also. I've got to await the hens to be laying again then wait another two to three weeks for good fertility.

Any cheap hygrometer will do, most pick one up at Walmart. A salt test is all you need to calibrate it. From what your saying most are not making it to hatch time which is not a humidity issue. I'm not a fan of the humidity you incubate and hatch at but that's not the issue. Temperature or fertility seems the culprit.

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

Hatch rates during this time of year are sometimes just miserable with no explanation---many of us on the Minnesota thread have noted this. It's likely due to egg temperatures before collection. Is it cold where you are?

Yeah... I tried to collect as soon as possible, but they were still cold, and the ones that came in the mail even moreso.

Fertility rate can be low also. I've got to await the hens to be laying again then wait another two to three weeks for good fertility.

Any cheap hygrometer will do, most pick one up at Walmart. A salt test is all you need to calibrate it. From what your saying most are not making it to hatch time which is not a humidity issue. I'm not a fan of the humidity you incubate and hatch at but that's not the issue. Temperature or fertility seems the culprit.

Huh. I've been looking in Tractor Supply. You'd think they would be more likely to have them. I'll check in Wally World. What department are they in?

 

[BantyChooks]

#36212

 

[DwayneNLiz]

go to a pet store and get them in the lizard/reptile area

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

go to a pet store and get them in the lizard/reptile area

Ah. I need to get some more Budgie food. I can get one then.