Hernia or prolapse issues in hatched chicks

[Katiewever]

Hi all!

I've done a few incubator hatches. In this current hatch, I have 3 chicks that hatched roughly a day early. Two of them seem to have hernias or prolapse. In all my other batches I've done, I've only ever had one hernia.

What did I do wrong this time? Temperature stayed at roughly 99.5 the whole time, and humidity sat at roughly 40-50% for the first 18 days and then 65-70 % for the last 3 days. I'm using a hovabater. I do find when the chicks hatch I have to pop the lid from time to time because the humidity sky rockets.

Any issues would be wonderful. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong this hatch.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Hi! I use a couple of different Hova-Bator incubator models, too. With unhealed navel problems, temperature is often the culprit - did you verify that temps were accurate and consistent with an independent thermometer?

I've noticed that the 1588s can have significant temperature fluctuations, so I verify (and adjust, as needed) temps at least every few days with my Brinsea Spot Check.

You may also find this troubleshooting resource helpful. Best of luck!

 

[Katiewever]

I did use an independent thermometer. The temperature did fluctuate a bit throughout. How much fluctuation is okay?

 

[Katiewever]

Hi! I use a couple of different Hova-Bator incubator models, too. With unhealed navel problems, temperature is often the culprit - did you verify that temps were accurate and consistent with an independent thermometer?

I've noticed that the 1588s can have significant temperature fluctuations, so I verify (and adjust, as needed) temps at least every few days with my Brinsea Spot Check.

You may also find this troubleshooting resource helpful. Best of luck!

Mine is the 1586 model, so it doesn't have a built in thermometer, just a thermostat. So I have to use an independent thermometer.

But this is the first time I've done them at his house and it was in the basement. I wonder if that contributed to any temperature fluctuations.

When you incubate in your hovabator, what temperature seems to work best for you?

Thank you for your suggestion!