I am failing miserable :(

[valreegrl]

My first hatch and it's been a nightmare

My most recent problem is humidity during lockdown. Since the beginning my incubator has been steady at 42%, although I could only achieve that with one plug in and the other just resting on top of the hole.
When I put the bator on lockdown last night I removed both plugs and added a small dish of water, a washcloth and sponge. However, humidity went down to 30%. After a while, I got scared and put one plug back in and it came back up, but is steady at 47% and I can't get it higher.

I think it just wasn't meant to be

I started out with 11 polish and 4 assorted bantam eggs. None of the polish developed (they were shipped so I think maybe they were scrambled?) but my 4 bantam eggs looked wonderful. Then day 17 hits and my daughter snuck in during the night and fiddled with my temp knob. That morning they were at 125 degrees

I candled but didn't see any movement that night, however, I thought it's a crap shoot and might as well go to the end.

But now this.....I am at a loss but hoping to learn from my mistakes this time.

Any ideas on humidity? I am using a LG Still Air (no fan or turner). And I have a hydrometer inside, the thermometer that came with it and using a prob thermometer reading temp on top of the eggs. Should I add more sponges? I don't want to open it, or should I?

 

[patyrdz]

Just put the other plug back in, and once the chicks start hatching the humidity will go up.
Good luck! I am sure many of us have had a bad hatch or two, it will get better, just don't give up!

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Don't give up! Most of us have had bad hatching attempts, but if you keep on trying you will have success. Try not to get too discouraged, although I know it's disappointing.

Personally, my eggs have been fine at 30% or so until lockdown, when I push it up to about 75%. I would say during lockdown add multiple cups of water (that way you don't have to change it all the time), and try to seal the top so there's not air leaking in through the top. I've heard about issues where LG tops don't fit snugly enough and need to be taped or otherwise fixed so they can hold in humidity better. I have a Genesis 1588 myself, so I can't speak for that, but I seem to recall hearing it. You might want to try that and see if it works. Good luck!

 

[dieselgrl48]

I am using 2 LG's right now and get so aggravated at time's with them.The one I use for incubating I have turner, and the 2nd just for hatching.I keep my water tray's filled during incubation and add a large sponge at hatch time and humidity usualy goe's up to 65-70% which is good for chicken egg's.I got one lone hatcher hatching now I just nurse maided it a tad.I pulled off a few fragments and put it on a warm moist paper towel and can hear it peeping so hopefully it will survive.It was looking like almost too much humidity with the moisture coming from the pip hole.They can dry quickly and basicaly freeze up in the egg matter trying to hatch.I threw out one half pip last week and 5 frizzle egg's I bought that didn't pip at all.hit .I used to have a Sportsman and hatched hundred's and hundred's of chicks and duckling's from it. But Day's gone by back to old school again baaaaaa.I hatched a lot of duckling's and gosling's in the LG some a lot better than my big inc.But misted them with water until hatch stage so....I have 2 fair them/ hygrometer's for mine in the LG's.I get some really good hatche's then baaaaaaa none or one or so.My temp's stay fairly reg. in mine.You might want to invest in a turner You do loose a lot of humidity if you are hand turning the egg's daily.I have 10 guinea's due next week here so hoping will get a fair hatch on them.Myabe someone else has more info or tip's for you. Good Luck. DG

 

[sevenchickens]

Did you calibrate you Hygrometer?

 

[valreegrl]

Hey, it was reading just slightly low, by 4 degrees. I put the other plug in and am up to 55% but my temp is going all over the place now. I think with the plugs out it got all screwy. I am trying to get it regulated, but unfortunately I think they are doomed.

Thanks for all your well wishes. Hopefully my next one will be better.

 

[lex381]

Oh well, I guess everyone gets a bad hatch every once in a while. I hope yours works out, though!

 

[painthorse]

I have tried 3 times now 41 eggs ,31 to lockdown 13 hatched. 42 eggs 31 to lockdown 21 hatched . 41 eggs 31 to lockdown 17 hatched.

Every time I wait till day 24 to take out the eggs from the bator and when I throw out the bad eggs the chicks look like they are fully developed. I now have my last bator full with 43 egg and I am scared that the all won't hatch. this will probably be my last try.