How long before I give up on hatching eggs?

[Kansas Gal]

Thanks! I finally got the courage to open the incubator a bit ago. One Black Copper Maran egg is pipped, and there is indeed a live chick in there! Just one tiny piece of shell opened up so far. I am thoroughly kicking myself in the butt, however! We bought the 5-gallon bucket setup to set on top of the incubator, which is supposed to keep water going into the humidity tray with the sponges. The float device is supposed to keep the water at an even rate. It was bone dry! sheesh! No wonder the poor little chicks are having a time getting out. I just added about a gallon of water into the tray, so hope that helps! Geez!

 

[thebanthams]

23 days for me today... I had two crazy wigglers right before lock down. I am sad they are not here yet....

 

[Kansas Gal]

Well, I have two chicks now, but both appear pretty weak. One was born on day 24, the second one today, day 25. No activity in the other eggs, but will give it a couple more days, I suppose! Sigh!

 

[thebanthams]

I just now did the float test, one very faint movements, the other egg, no movement at all, soooo I will keep trying !!

Well, I have two chicks now, but both appear pretty weak. One was born on day 24, the second one today, day 25. No activity in the other eggs, but will give it a couple more days, I suppose! Sigh!

 

[Kansas Gal]

I am determined to wait now until Wednesday just to see if any more pipping before giving up on the rest of the eggs. So far, just the two chicks. I will take them out of the incubator tomorrow, and get them started on feed and water. Sure hope the little guys make it. They appear pretty weak, but are getting around. Maybe just getting their 'sea legs'!

 

[thebanthams]

No surprise for me ! I think I fail again waaaa ! But will keep them in till after weds. to be safe. Both times I tried to hatch (Dec and now ) they seems to died during lockdown. Temps is 99 and humidity is around 71% I left them alone during lockdown. I have 3 more eggs in another incubator, they are due Feb 7th. If I failed again it will be my last time. I am very sad !!

 

[Pele]

I'm so sorry your hatches have been frustrating

. But please don't give up yet on hatching! It sounds like you are doing everything right up until lockdown, which narrows down your field of complications quite a bit! You know that your biosecurity is good, and that you are turning enough. This usually means that it's a humidity or temp problem.

Hm... are you trying the dry incubation method, or keeping the humidity up at 50% or so? I've done a TON of research, and the dry incubation method (keeping humidity around 20% to 30% until lockdown) seems to yield the best results. I just tried it recently on my first hatch, and despite being shipped at a cold time of year, and being in a still-air incubator, I got 5 babies.

I would also highly recommend candling at day 7, 14, and 18. I personally cheated and candled more (I know shame on me), but I couldn't help it .

 

[kathyinmo]

What kind of thermometer are you using? It sounds to me like your temperature is lower than you think it is.

 

[thebanthams]

Theres fish aquarium thermometer and Digital thermometer. I feel I stayed 99 as much I could make it ! Its the humidity I think I worried about. Really I dont know. I have 3 eggs due Feb 7 and this time I WILL NOT ADD ANY MORE WATER .. I will try and see what happens.

 

[kathyinmo]

Running this many days past day 21...... I feel sure it is your thermometer.