Help to understand failed hatch

[newbyhatching]

So I had a failed hatch. Its my first time incubating chicken eggs. There was definitely problems with the temperature, which I am now sorting. However I am wondering what else may have happened.

I had 28 eggs, 1 hatched but only with our help after it had been trying for 36 hours and died about 40 hours later, I don't think it had the strength to survive. I have opened a selection of the eggs after candling them and they seemed to die at a couple of different stages. Some never started. Others looked like they where just over half way and some looked like they died just before the hatch.

I am not impressed with my incubator so now have a couple of thermometers and have ordered a reptile thermometer and hygrometer so I can keep a really close eye. I don't think the thermometer in the incubator can be calibrated, its not a branded model and probably not the best buy, but it is what I have got now and would like to keep working with it.

My chickens who gave me the eggs are free range, with a large area to roam and feed. They are fed organic food, as well as plenty of scraps from our kitchen/vegetable patch. We are about 700m above sea level in the south of Spain, which I believe has a similar climate to California.

The incubator has an egg turner and I am wondering if something might have gone wrong when I removed the eggs on day 18? If the incubator was open to long could that have done it? We tried to be really quick. Could I have laid them wrong?

Any thoughts or suggestions or ideas of where I can get more information would be really appreciate. I am keen to give it another go, but don't think I could cope to have another disastrous hatch like this one!

 

[igorsMistress]

I'm sorry your first hatching experience didn't go well. Mine didn't either and I almost never tried again.

If there's one thing that's not negotiable when hatching, it's temperature. Too hot or cold for an extended period of time can ruin your hatch.

You'll read tons of differences in humidity and I'll not delve into that. There are a lot of variables and the same thing doesn't work for all of us.

I don't hurry when I open the incubator unless there are pips. A broody hen leaves her nest a time or two per day so opening it to turn eggs or candle is fine. I don't dawdle but I'm not rushing, so I doubt that was the issue.

As for placement of eggs at lockdown, the chicks will turn inside the egg into hatching position. A hen has no idea where the air cell is, whatever position the egg is in is good enough for her. Makes it good enough for me.

How far off was your temp? What kind of incubator? What was humidity at?

 

[Stacyoung13]

Do a dry run with your incubator and therm/ hygrometer. Let it run for a day or two without eggs to get everything set. Make sure the eggs you want to incubate are less than a week old for best results. I lay my eggs flat with small end pointing towards center of bator (no reason, just how I do it). Keep temp at 99.5 and humidity between 35-45 first 18 days, then between 65-75 for lock down. For turning, I mark my eggs ‘L’ ‘M’ ‘R’ (left, middle, right), I turn them 4 times a day, (7am, 12pm, 5pm, 10pm) in ONE direction, next day I go in the other direction. Post pics of your incubator for more precise answers from us. Good Luck!!!!! Keep me posted!!!

 

[hunthaven]

My first hatch was a disaster, too--no hatches at all. Second hatch attempt I got one chick. Next one, I got two chicks. But now I'm averaging a 70 percent hatch rate on shipped eggs--but I've learned some things.

First, I got good incubators and watch the temp and humidity like a hawk. 99.5 degrees and, as others have said, around 45 percent humidity for days 1-18, up to 72 percent days 18-21.
Second, I candle at days 7, 14, and 17, right before lockdown. I am cautious about throwing eggs away on day 7, but on day 14, if you can't see a growing chick, get rid of the egg. It's better to know what you're dealing with. On day 17, get a colored pencil and outline the air cell when you're candling, so you can be informed while the chick pips. He should pip very near the line you drew--if he's way off, you'll know to pay special attention to that egg.

This may not apply to you since you're using your own eggs, but I've learned that I have MUCH better success if I order eggs from sellers in my state or at least my region. They arrive faster and with much less damage. I also incubate vertically until lockdown--by then, the air cells are firmly in place.

There is an excellent thread on hatching, assisted hatching, hatching shipped eggs, etc., here on BYC--I read all those articles over and over again. They helped a LOT. All best!

Now, I need to figure out what to do with all these chicks . . .

 

[newbyhatching]

I'm sorry your first hatching experience didn't go well. Mine didn't either and I almost never tried again.

If there's one thing that's not negotiable when hatching, it's temperature. Too hot or cold for an extended period of time can ruin your hatch.

You'll read tons of differences in humidity and I'll not delve into that. There are a lot of variables and the same thing doesn't work for all of us.

I don't hurry when I open the incubator unless there are pips. A broody hen leaves her nest a time or two per day so opening it to turn eggs or candle is fine. I don't dawdle but I'm not rushing, so I doubt that was the issue.

As for placement of eggs at lockdown, the chicks will turn inside the egg into hatching position. A hen has no idea where the air cell is, whatever position the egg is in is good enough for her. Makes it good enough for me.

How far off was your temp? What kind of incubator? What was humidity at?

Thank you, that is really helpful. I am not 100% as I only realised when it was too late and didn't have a really good thermometer to check. But I think possible a degree or 2 celcius. When I get the new thermometer and hygrometer I will definitely assess fully before starting again. Good to know it could have been to do with the temperature as that is something I can work with. Thank you for your advice!

 

[igorsMistress]

Thank you, that is really helpful. I am not 100% as I only realised when it was too late and didn't have a really good thermometer to check. But I think possible a degree or 2 celcius. When I get the new thermometer and hygrometer I will definitely assess fully before starting again. Good to know it could have been to do with the temperature as that is something I can work with. Thank you for your advice!

You're very welcome. Others have helpful advice as well. I hope you try again and let us know how things go for you!

 

[getaclue]

newby, does your incubator have a fan? That makes a difference too. Don't give up. Yes, when I was using a styrofoam incubator, I'd set it up, and get it consistent for a couple days before adding eggs. Another thing I'd do, move the inner eggs to an outer position, and outer eggs to an inner position in the incubator every couple of days. Even with a fan, there will be hotter/colder spots, so by moving them around in the incubator helps ensure more consistency. Depending on your altitude, humidity could be another factor.

I solved the whole thing by getting an Rcom incubator. They're expensive, but well worth the price.

 

[getaclue]

BTW, don't rely on just one thermometer. You would be amazed at how much difference there can be in thermometer readings.

 

[newbyhatching]

My first hatch was a disaster, too--no hatches at all. Second hatch attempt I got one chick. Next one, I got two chicks. But now I'm averaging a 70 percent hatch rate on shipped eggs--but I've learned some things.

First, I got good incubators and watch the temp and humidity like a hawk. 99.5 degrees and, as others have said, around 45 percent humidity for days 1-18, up to 72 percent days 18-21.
Second, I candle at days 7, 14, and 17, right before lockdown. I am cautious about throwing eggs away on day 7, but on day 14, if you can't see a growing chick, get rid of the egg. It's better to know what you're dealing with. On day 17, get a colored pencil and outline the air cell when you're candling, so you can be informed while the chick pips. He should pip very near the line you drew--if he's way off, you'll know to pay special attention to that egg.

This may not apply to you since you're using your own eggs, but I've learned that I have MUCH better success if I order eggs from sellers in my state or at least my region. They arrive faster and with much less damage. I also incubate vertically until lockdown--by then, the air cells are firmly in place.

There is an excellent thread on hatching, assisted hatching, hatching shipped eggs, etc., here on BYC--I read all those articles over and over again. They helped a LOT. All best!

Now, I need to figure out what to do with all these chicks . . .

Thank you! So good to know I am not alone! I really appreciate your advice!

 

[newbyhatching]

newby, does your incubator have a fan? That makes a difference too. Don't give up. Yes, when I was using a styrofoam incubator, I'd set it up, and get it consistent for a couple days before adding eggs. Another thing I'd do, move the inner eggs to an outer position, and outer eggs to an inner position in the incubator every couple of days. Even with a fan, there will be hotter/colder spots, so by moving them around in the incubator helps ensure more consistency. Depending on your altitude, humidity could be another factor.

I solved the whole thing by getting an Rcom incubator. They're expensive, but well worth the price.

Yes it does and an automatic turner. I can defintely move the eggs to different positions in the turner, or I could even take out the turner and turn manually if that would be advised? Thank you so much for your response!