How long before I give up on hatching eggs?

[thebanthams]

this website has great information. I will follow it carefully and hopefully little chickies soon !!!!

I just caught this....I hate to be the one to tell you but the LG has a pretty bad rap around here. I've never tried one so have no personal experience but you are certainly not alone in finding it a challenge to hatch with.

If you are using a still air incubator, 99 is really too low a temp. With circulated air you are looking for a temp of about 99.5, and with still air you want to be closer to 101.

Another BYC member, ChooksChick has written a great "cheat sheet" for hatching using a LG incubator. Here is the link: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/incubation-cheat-sheet

I would really recommend reading it through all the way and try her technique. As I understand it, she has had a lot of success with LG using this method. Good luck!

 

[Kansas Gal]

Well, my two little guys are doing pretty well. What I hoped to attain was enough of the hatching eggs of the breeds I wanted through good breeders who shipped them, to be able to get foundation stock going. However, sadly that is not to be. I am definitely getting another thermometer and new wafer for the incubator before I ever try hatching again. I was just heartbroken, as I thought I did everything perfectly, including watching over the thermometer like a mother hen! I have no idea how to go about calibrating a thermometer, so any suggestions there would be most appreciated! Guess I will just enjoy the hatchery chicks I have coming, some should be here February 17, and the rest on February 22! Hope I can 'sneak' these two little guys in with the new chicks when the new ones get strong enough that they have their sea legs!

 

[McSpin]

I have no idea how to go about calibrating a thermometer, so any suggestions there would be most appreciated!

It's really very simple. Fill a gallon sized container with cold water and crushed ice. Let it sit for 4-5 minutes to stabilize the temp. Hold the thermometer in the center of the water. Do not let it touch the sides or bottom of the container. Once the temp settles on one point, it should read 32 F. Any thermometer that doesn't - toss.

 

[gmolly]

humidity should be 60 at lockdown.

 

[thebanthams]

I am in the same boat with you except for shipping. My chickies due on 21st. I hope to order some day !!

Well, my two little guys are doing pretty well. What I hoped to attain was enough of the hatching eggs of the breeds I wanted through good breeders who shipped them, to be able to get foundation stock going. However, sadly that is not to be. I am definitely getting another thermometer and new wafer for the incubator before I ever try hatching again. I was just heartbroken, as I thought I did everything perfectly, including watching over the thermometer like a mother hen! I have no idea how to go about calibrating a thermometer, so any suggestions there would be most appreciated! Guess I will just enjoy the hatchery chicks I have coming, some should be here February 17, and the rest on February 22! Hope I can 'sneak' these two little guys in with the new chicks when the new ones get strong enough that they have their sea legs!