Hatching issues help

[Ajtheox]

I am having some major issues hatching chicks. My first batch of chicks hatched at 75% rate over a year ago. Then about 6 months later I got 6 rare eggs from someone at a swap and they all failed. She gave me some more, and one hatched and then died. They were a rare breed and I figured it was maybe genetic. Three weeks ago I set 40 eggs from my hens. Some of the hens are common breeds and some are rare. The rooster is a young rare breed I ordered from a reputable breeder. They are in a still air incubator, and I candled them at day 13. A few were unfertilized, but mostly quitters from day 3-7. At least that is what I think based on embryo size. I candled them again on day 18, and found 10 more dead. Again mostly dead in early development, but some had lived to at least day 10+. It's day 23 with no movements or pips, so I did the float test before tossing them. I found a few are still alive. 3 form the float test were dead and 2 were far developed. So, now I have 6 left, and I am sure 4 of those are still alive for now.

I keep detailed notes, and had an extra thermometer to make sure temp is correct at the top of the eggs. I am either doing something really wrong or my rooster ( a rare breed) has genetic issues. Any help would be appreciated. Everything was clean, and I used gloves to handle the eggs. I think it is probably temp related, because most of the early eggs to give up were far from the heat source.

My thoughts are I messed up because the temp was too low, or possibly I should have opened my incubator more to let fresh air in since it it a still air? A friend also suggested I add vitamins for my hens. Maybe I should get a forced air incubator?

Summary notes on temps and humidity.

Days 1-18 Humidity range was 44-60% (almost always 47%). 60% was one reading and probably bad.
Temp readings 98.9 to 99.6 Typically 99.0. (Incubator temp was set at 99).

At day 18 I turned the setting up to 100.5,and temps have been reading closer to 100%. Humidity was increased and kept between 65-75%.

Finally one of my hens went broody, so as a back up I decided to let her try and hatch a clutch. She was a smallish hen and ended up getting kicked off by a larger one that decided to go broody also. So, far the larger hen appears to be doing a great job on the eggs. Those are around day 10 now, and I am just going to leave them to see if it is a genetic issue.

Thanks for any help.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I am having some major issues hatching chicks. My first batch of chicks hatched at 75% rate over a year ago. Then about 6 months later I got 6 rare eggs from someone at a swap and they all failed. She gave me some more, and one hatched and then died.  They were a  rare breed and I figured it was maybe genetic.  Three weeks ago I set 40 eggs from my hens. Some of the hens are common breeds and some are rare.  The rooster is a young rare breed I ordered from a reputable breeder.  They are in a still air incubator, and I candled them at day 13.  A few were unfertilized, but mostly quitters from day 3-7. At least that is what I think based on embryo size.  I candled them again on day 18, and found 10 more dead.  Again mostly dead in early development, but some had lived to at least day 10+.  It's day 23 with no movements or pips, so I did the float test before tossing them.  I found a few are still alive. 3 form the float test were dead and 2 were far developed.  So, now I have 6 left, and I am sure 4 of those are still alive for now.

I keep detailed notes, and had an extra thermometer to make sure temp is correct at the top of the eggs.  I am either doing something really wrong or my rooster ( a rare breed) has genetic issues. Any help would be appreciated. Everything was clean, and I used gloves to handle the eggs. I think it is probably temp related, because most of the early eggs to give up were far from the heat source.

My thoughts are I messed up because the temp was too low, or possibly I should have opened my incubator more to  let fresh air in since it it a still air?  A friend also suggested I add vitamins for my hens. Maybe I should get a forced air incubator?

Summary notes on temps and humidity.

Days 1-18 Humidity range was 44-60% (almost always 47%).  60% was one reading and probably bad.
Temp readings 98.9 to 99.6 Typically 99.0. (Incubator temp was set at 99).

At day 18 I turned the setting up to 100.5,and temps have been reading closer to 100%.  Humidity was increased and kept between 65-75%.

Finally one of my hens went broody, so as a back up I decided to let her try and hatch a clutch.  She was a smallish hen and ended up getting kicked off by a larger one that decided to go broody also. So, far the larger hen appears to be doing a great job on the eggs.  Those are around day 10 now, and I am just going to leave them to see if it is a genetic issue.

Thanks for any help.

First thing I see is temps too low for still. They should maintain temps (with a verified accurate thermometer) of 101-102 taken near the tops of the eggs.
Second thing I would recommend is going with a lower incubation humidity and monitoring air cells for adjustment. I use this method: http://letsraisechickens.weebly.com...anuals-understanding-and-controlling-humidity

 

[Ajtheox]

Thanks for the advice and link. I have spent a ton of time researching and talking to people to try and figure out the right temp after the first batch of ordered eggs failed.

One concern I have is oxygen in the still air. I have an automatic turner, and try to leave them alone. However, should I open it quickly once a day or every few days for air exchange?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Thanks for the advice and link.  I have spent a ton of time researching and talking to people to try and figure out the right temp after the first batch of ordered eggs failed.  

One concern I have is oxygen in the still air.  I have an automatic turner, and try to leave them alone.  However, should I open it quickly once a day or every few days for air exchange?

If your vents are open they should be getting plenty of fresh air. I keep my vent plugs out for the whole incubation process.