Hatching/Humidity ?

[AaronP]

I just hatched out my 2nd batch of chicks. I have had the same results with both. I have chicks hatching on day 20. Then more hatch out early on day 21. By this time the humidity has jumped up to about 75-80%. There are still some hatching. After they pip and/or zip they quit. I want to help them but also don't want to open the bator up during the lock down period. I am wondering if this is because other chicks are running over them and they can't get out or humidity to high. Then there are some that have fully developed but never pip, I wonder if the humidity got to high for them after the others started hatching and they drowned. I have run the humidity at about 38-40% for the first 18 days then up to about 60-65% for the last 3 days. My first hatch I got 24 out of 36 to hatch, and my 2nd hatch I got 28 out of 42 to hatch. I want to get better hatch rates then this. Just looking for ideas for the next hatch. Thanks for your help.

 

[panner123]

I am betting the humidity got to high. This is not something you did, it happens naturall as the chicks hatch. The only thing you can do at times like this is, satch the humidity and work the vents. As it goes up open the vents until it goes down. Don't let it go to low.

 

[bantyshanty]

I've hatched out my chicks mostly at day 20 too, a couple at day 21, with the same exact humidity day 1-18, & the same 60-65% at lockdown, and yes it gets to 78-80% during hatching.
Mine haven't had this problem and have hatched fine. My room humidity tends to be 30-45%. Is your room environment a humid one?
It may still be your humidity, but at 2/3 hatch rate, are you also sure your thermometers are accurate throughout the incubation period? Are the eggs fresh & getting turned regularly?
Would you be willing to experiment with dry incubation next time? I haven't tried it, but it really improves hatches for some people. Better luck next time

 

[AaronP]

Thanks for the replies. I leave both vents open from day one, maybe I can try leaving them closed next time and open them as needed to lower humidity, but I thought that the extra air would be good when left open. My room humidity is usually around 40-50%. My thermometer is one I have questioned. I have a spot check and have put new batteries in before both hatches. The thing I question is where should I put it? I reads different everywhere I put it if it touches the turner or the eggs it is about 2 degress lower than if it's not touching anything. I got this thermometer because I read good things about it and I think it is accurate, I am just unsure how/where to place it. The first hatch all eggs were shipped. This last hatch 26 eggs were fresh and 16 were shipped. I am willing to try dry incubation next time. On these first 2 hatches I haven't added any water till the last 3 days, so what would I do different for dry incubation? Thanks again for the help.

 

[babsbag]

Do not close the vents. They need the air. I don't know why you are having these problems, your humidity sounds pretty right on, at least where I had mine at. Are you sure that your hygrometer is correct?

Here are a couple of links that might help you troubleshoot your problems.

http://msucares.com/poultry/reproductions/poultry_pipped.html

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/aa204

 

[AaronP]

Thanks for the links. Great info to know. I checked my hygrometer with salt and water in a ziplock bag before the first hatch and it was 10% low. Then I checked it before the second hatch with the same method and it showed 15% low. It is a Springfield digital thermometer/hygrometer , but I only use it for the hygrometer part. I think I am going to try and find me a good analog hygrometer to use, or maybe try using a wet bulb. Any suggestions on either of these? It just bothers me that it was wrong by 5% on 2 identical tests.