HELP! Classroom chick hatching- are they all dead?

[CoopsNPoops]

Thank you for the advice! I am using an old still-air incubator with an automatic turner. They are vertical with the fat end up. I have kept the temperature between 99-101 and the humidity right around 50%.

You need additional calibrated thermometers aside from the actual installed incubator thermometer. They are notorious for being inaccurate. It could be 1 degree cooler than what it actually reads and that is disastrous. Aside from temp verification, it sounds like you're doing everything right. Most prefer dry hatching and find it more successful than worrying about fighting with the humidity to stay up. My dry hatching stays at roughly 34%.. another important factor, how did you acquire the eggs to hatch?

 

[laurenk16]

Also, if you haven’t already, is it possible to attach a second thermometer? I’ve heard sometimes the initial thermometer can be inaccurate.

Yes, I actually have 3 thermometers inside the incubator!

 

[laurenk16]

You need additional calibrated thermometers aside from the actual installed incubator thermometer. They are notorious for being inaccurate. It could be 1 degree cooler than what it actually reads and that is disastrous. Aside from temp verification, it sounds like you're doing everything right. Most prefer dry hatching and find it more successful than worrying about fighting with the humidity to stay up. My dry hatching stays at roughly 34%.. another important factor, how did you acquire the eggs to hatch?

I live in Illinois and I was given them by our University of Illinois 4H program.

 

[Cjrobison2019]

Today is Day 9! I hope I get at least one baby chick...not sure what I did wrong. The temperature has been between 99-101 and the humidity right around 50%.

I think you have it right. Its always a 50/50 chance. But for sure #4 is ok. If you see veins, its all good.

 

[CoopsNPoops]

I live in Illinois and I was given them by our University of Illinois 4H program.

Well knowing how long the clutch sat out before being incubated is a factor in viability. Also, the temperature of where they waited. (Fridge, room air, etc) if they were gathered from the nests and immediately went to incubation, it probably is at a contributing issue. Also, just simple genetics could be a factor in poor viability.

 

[laurenk16]

Also, if you haven’t already, is it possible to attach a second thermometer? I’ve heard sometimes the initial thermometer can be inaccurate.

I have 3 thermometers inside the incubator.

 

[laurenk16]

Well knowing how long the clutch sat out before being incubated is a factor in viability. Also, the temperature of where they waited. (Fridge, room air, etc) if they were gathered from the nests and immediately went to incubation, it probably is at a contributing issue. Also, just simple genetics could be a factor in poor viability.

That's good to know. So it may not be my fault...haha!

 

[CoopsNPoops]

I have 3 thermometers inside the incubator.

Then it sounds to be previous environmental or genetical factors and unrelated to your actual incubation process. Sounds like youre doing it perfectly!

 

[CoopsNPoops]

That's good to know. So it may not be my fault...haha!

Exactly its sounds like you're doing everything perfectly!

 

[CoopsNPoops]

Eggs can be left at room temperature for up to a week while acquiring enough for a full cluth to incubate. Less is preferred, longer greatly reduces the chances of success. Also, if the eggs weren't stored pointy end down during this time, that lowers odds, as well as the movements in between trasfer from them to you. Its quite a complicated process, lol.