Hatch rate....

[Poultry keeper12]

Hey, I am down too 4 chickens, I put 22 eggs in the incubator. I am a little worried because all the other batches were fails... Is there anything I can do to increase there hatch rate?? I turn them three times a day and I keep the humidity at 45-55% and the temperature at 102.5F because it is off a little bit. Can the humidity be off?? The incubator brand is farm innovators, it is a still air. Thanks

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Move them around inside the bator to ensure even development. I picked a random spot daily.

Lower your humidity a bit more, below 45%

Using calibrated or at least know the accuracy level of your instruments. This is your # 1 factor between life or death.

Turn 5 times per day.

Increase nutrition of parent stock by not giving low nutrient treats like corn or scratch if you currently do.

Add quality protein (scrambled egg or other ANIMAL source) as treat for parent stock. Or supplement vitamin/minerals. At LEAST 1 week before you start collecting eggs to hatch.

Not setting old eggs. Flock age also factors in. Make sure they are unwashed, REMOVE air vent plugs.... Just off the top of my head, not knowing what your actual issue may be.

 

[Poultry keeper12]

Thanks, the humidity issue is not to lower it too much so the air sells don't grow too much. Also my 5 week old chick was born with a crooked leg... Could this be the humidity or the temperature??

 

[Old McRonald]

I have had very poor hatches from my Farm Innovators still air incubator as well. I have checked the thermometer and hygrometer against the unit I use in my homemade forced air unit that I get much higher hatches with. Just had a no hatch on a dozen silver laced orpingtons I paid $55 for but I had 9 out of 12 quail hatch so I think it was more of a fertility issue with the orps and the quail eggs were from my own flock. It just caught my eye when you mentioned the incubator since I have the same one, not trying to knock them but all things being equal, forced air is a plus. All of my poor hatches have also been shipped eggs. Also, have you put an accurate thermometer on top of the eggs instead of laying on the wire to make sure the eggs aren't getting too hot?

 

[Poultry keeper12]

I have had very poor hatches from my Farm Innovators still air incubator as well. I have checked the thermometer and hygrometer against the unit I use in my homemade forced air unit that I get much higher hatches with. Just had a no hatch on a dozen silver laced orpingtons I paid $55 for but I had 9 out of 12 quail hatch so I think it was more of a fertility issue with the orps and the quail eggs were from my own flock. It just caught my eye when you mentioned the incubator since I have the same one, not trying to knock them but all things being equal, forced air is a plus. All of my poor hatches have also been shipped eggs. Also, have you put an accurate thermometer on top of the eggs instead of laying on the wire to make sure the eggs aren't getting too hot?

Hey, thanks for the quick response! Last year I had great hatches. But it's just this year... I bought a thermometer at a local store. It was not meant for hatching chicks, the thing is that the eggs last all the way until hatching time is and that's when they die. Also I wash them before hatching time this time I didn't just to see if my hatch rate goes up. Is there anything else I can do, should I cool them off every day?? I do turn them three times a day, which is kind of cooling them down in a meaning... Is there anything else I can do??

 

[Old McRonald]

I see you said you washed them? You don't want to wash hatching eggs as it removes the protective coating on the eggs called "bloom". When you open the incubator to turn them cools the incubator but I doubt if the egg cools much. More than likely you would extend the incubation time. Read up as much as you can as most people will have what works best for them and you will find what works best for you!