I have movement & all until 1-3 days before hatching…

[WestKickinChiksFarm]

Look through these to see what might have gone wrong. What might be different this time instead of those successful times? These are more pointed toward commercial hatcheries so some of the stuff might not apply to you, but maybe you can get some hints.

You were previously successful and they are still reaching a very late stage. One immediate thought is how are you handling ventilation? Are they getting fresh air at the end. Like any living animal they need oxygen. The more they develop the more they need. Are your vents closed so they can't breathe? There have been a few instances on here where that was the cause. But mainly think about if you are doing something different.

Trouble Shooting Failures with Egg Incubation | Mississippi State University Extension Service (msstate.edu)

Common Incubation Problems: Causes and Remedies (ucanr.edu)

Late term embryonic death/failure to hatch seems to be associated with egg stress/trauma preincubation or during the first couple days such as shipping, cold or heat stress (fridge temps or above 70F for a couple hours or more), or eggs over 10 days old at the onset of incubation. Incubator heat spikes (104 plus) for a couple hours or more is another possibility. Using external thermometers is always a good idea but except for heat spikes, wonky temp is usually associated with no development, slow development or possibly early embryonic death. Humidity probably isn’t a major cause of embryonic death. Turning issues usually cause early embryonic death. Nutrition and genetics of source flock may be an issue but is less common than egg handling/incubator issues. I just had a 9/20 eggs dead day 3-5 incubation likely due to a faulty turner and the one before that was 10/21 that went into lockdown died in shell, shipped eggs. Winter has also been hard on my hatch rates, 25% dead in shell on eggs collected nov-feb, freezing temps for 6-12 hours before collection. All summer and fall I had 90% plus hatch rates on home raised eggs, fertility and develop rates were steady as well but embryonic death was way up depending on turning issues, cold preincubation and a batch of shipped eggs. Sometimes you can figure out the issue, sometimes you can’t, sometimes you just get a rotten hatch or your incubator goes wonky mid hatch and you don’t catch it or whatever. Don’t give up though!

Tragically- I did like @Debbie292d told me to do with my regular ole meat thermometer & I am devastated. The incubator is WRONG. It’s saying 100 & it’s 104. I am literally frying the poor things. Wow you all have been absolutely amazing with the information & it’s good to get all this information from @Susan Skylark, @Mildyoffensivechook & @C Siena…thank each & every single one of you for your VALUABLE VALUABLE INFORMATION. I am honestly just as heartbroken as I can be - they all been so healthy & I honestly had no idea that this brand new incubator was ALREADY FAILING ME. I am going to try it again and make sure we vent properly for sure; keep an eye on the temperature on my thermometer not what’s on the led screen on the lid…do have a question for you all…the turning stops at 3 days until hatching; so that they can get situated in place the be able to hatch right? How often do you think they really need to be turned?? This incubator turns them every 4 hours, is that too much you think? I was due to hatch some tomorrow & of course there’s no movement. So

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC. I am very sorry for your losses. I'd also recommend getting some govees
https://www.amazon.com/Govee-Hygrom...ocphy=9032139&hvtargid=pla-2281435180778&th=1

 

[Ridgerunner]

the turning stops at 3 days until hatching; so that they can get situated in place the be able to hatch right?

Nope, not in my opinion. I know you read that on this forum but I am not sure turning during lockdown has that much of an influence.

The 21 day thing is an estimate. It is fairly common for eggs to hatch 1 or 2 full days early or late. Different things affect actual hatch date. Temperature is an important variable for when they actually hatch but it is not the only one.

According to a poultry science professor that specializes in chicken reproduction (which includes hatching) you can stop turning after 14 days of incubation. Turning has accomplished what it needs to accomplish by then.

This is my opinion (not the professor's as we did not discuss this) but the reason we go into lockdown after 18 days of incubation is so we increase the humidity to avoid shrink-wrap during hatch. Since some can hatch two days early, you go into lockdown 3 days before they are due to hatch to make sure the humidity is up before they pip. The main reason we stop turning then is that it is convenient to raise the humidity and stop turning at the same time, especially if you are using an automatic turner.

How often do you think they really need to be turned?? This incubator turns them every 4 hours, is that too much you think?

3 times a day is enough. 20 times a day is not too much.

I was due to hatch some tomorrow & of course there’s no movement. So

As I said, some can hatch a day or two late so be patient. If the movement you are talking about is the egg moving around, I don't always see that. What I look for is the pip.

Good luck!

 

[WestKickinChiksFarm]

Nope, not in my opinion. I know you read that on this forum but I am not sure turning during lockdown has that much of an influence.

The 21 day thing is an estimate. It is fairly common for eggs to hatch 1 or 2 full days early or late. Different things affect actual hatch date. Temperature is an important variable for when they actually hatch but it is not the only one.

According to a poultry science professor that specializes in chicken reproduction (which includes hatching) you can stop turning after 14 days of incubation. Turning has accomplished what it needs to accomplish by then.

This is my opinion (not the professor's as we did not discuss this) but the reason we go into lockdown after 18 days of incubation is so we increase the humidity to avoid shrink-wrap during hatch. Since some can hatch two days early, you go into lockdown 3 days before they are due to hatch to make sure the humidity is up before they pip. The main reason we stop turning then is that it is convenient to raise the humidity and stop turning at the same time, especially if you are using an automatic turner.


3 times a day is enough. 20 times a day is not too much.


As I said, some can hatch a day or two late so be patient. If the movement you are talking about is the egg moving around, I don't always see that. What I look for is the pip.

Good luck!

@Rid

 

[WestKickinChiksFarm]

@Ridgerunner - you are absolutely amazing! We are down to the last few days (3) of the set I put in after @Debbie292d told me to check the temperature with a external thermometer; I’ve been going along perfectly - out of 12 with 3 days left we candled last night & 10 are alive & well. I can not thank you all enough! I am going to post some videos from the 7th day & the 14th day - they’ve been in the incubator. 7 days in the incubator, 2nd egg in incubation / 7 days, 14 days along…,14 days along #2 egg…had to go upload them on YouTube because I HAD TO SHARE the progress of these amazing little babies…it still amazes me how God has created such an animal that is so easy & simple (in a sense) but yet so powerful to our human lives. Protein in the eggs, we have to have eggs for everything- every baking recipe calls for an egg for 10 lol…then I will never own a “dual purpose” girl…but I love to eat chicken - just not my own!!

Anyways enough of the jabbering. I just wanted to update the amazing individuals that took the time to respond to my post & help me out in such a time of need! Everyone’s information was shared with my family along with the community - vital information!!! Thank you all again! And my first set of hatchlings are so big…they’re our “barn yard mixture”. Gotta post a picture!! Oh so the rooster is a Light Brahma & the white one’s are Smokey Pearl, I have only Plymouth Barred Rocks that are black; & the Sapphire Gems are the blue and gray colored..