Hatching Help!

[Gardeningmama]

Oh My Goodness...I feel like I'm watching a soap opera. Please keep posting, good or bad. I'm getting ready to set my first batch of eggs next week and I'm scared to death. I'm gonna keep an eye on your situation, so I can learn. Please Post!!! And by the way I'm gonna pray for your little one in the corner, the rest too.

 

[mstricer]

Has the egg in the corner hatched if not I would try to help it. Two things can make this happen one if your temperature is too low, or a humidity problem. Good luck.

 

[fluffydown]

Yes, I think I'll try and help it. I read somewhere on how to do so, and I'll try my best.

I think the temperature was pretty consistent, but sometimes the water trays would run out and I'd have to fill them again. I wish I wasn't learning it the hard way...

 

[mstricer]

Humidity is the most important the last 3 days. It should be between 65 and 75%. If not you may shrink wrap them. I just had that happen to me close to 70 chicks all shrink wrapped couldn't get it above 59% all bad. I have a new plan. Plus the BF gave me an education in science and now I think I understand what to do.

 

[fluffydown]

I didn't have anything to measure the humidity, so I just followed a manual. Sadly, the incubator came from a garage sale and didn't have a manual, so I searched online. The online manual was for the same model, but the new improved one, which I didn't have.

Next time I'll buy something to measure the humidity, and maybe even get a much better thermometer.


I also tried helping little Awwal(meaning 'First' in Arabic) but I think he/she already passed on....

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May all of our chicks hatch and may they be strong and healthy as well. - In memory of Awwal

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Aw fluffydown...so sorry you're going through this. Sometimes it happens this way.

Do you have any kitchen sponges that are clean? If so, cut them into slim pieces. Warm them up in HOT water. Put them soaking wet into the corners of the incubator. Only fill up the incubator with warm water, otherwise you can cause the temperature in the incubator to drop and take forever to reheat. If you've been using lukewarm water, this may be part of the problem.

If you have a mister or a spray bottle, put some hot water into the bottle and spritz the eggs. This will raise the humidity ASAP. The day 18 stuff is just jargon. It's best not to touch it, but you won't murder chicks that are hatching. Just spritz the eggs with the mister/spray bottle and they'll be fine if you open it. I've done it forever and haven't had an issue.

Another thing is, those styrofoam incubators are gambles at best. Don't beat yourself up about it! This stuff happens and the previous owner may have known about temperature fluxes and not disclosed them to you.

Please don't let this be the last time you incubate. It can be very rewarding.

 

[kitten6566]

Rodriguezpoultry is right. Those incubators can be a bust. I had one and it worked for a while but died away. But i did get a bunch of baby chicks, 20, from one of those incubators. it just takes practice.sorry about that chick. Any more hatch?

 

[fluffydown]

Sorry, long time, no see. I had a lot of finals to finish up.

No, none of the rest hatched, but then again, some of the eggs were oblong or abnormal. I would've took them out, but the guy who gave me the eggs really wanted more chickens, and I didn't want to say that I haven't put them in. He actually has some chickens himself, but none of his hens are broody at all and they don't want to hatch chicks, so he gave them to me.
I think I'll try again in a month, after I go on a small trip.(And pool my savings into a better incubator

)


Thanks for all your support!
- fluffydown