I need HELP my chicken eggs wont hatch!!!

[anna14939]

okay so i put the eggs in the incubator on april 5,2012 and today is april 30th i did everything right candled them and kept humidity levels right they were all fertilized whats wrong they haven't hatched and there going on 4 days late does anyone think they still have a chance??? they all have a dark mass in the middle of the egg and on one of the eggs there is this pocket in it that moves around when i pick it up this is my first time doing this someone please give me some information. thanks!

 

[mstricer]

What is your temp at?

 

[anna14939]

99.5

 

[mustangsaguaro]

Next question is what is your humidity at the first 18 days. And what is your humidity at when you go into lockdown. Are you using a forced or still air incubator?

 

[anna14939]

a still air incubator i dont know how to tell if the humidty is right i put warm water in the thing at the bottom of the incubator

 

[mustangsaguaro]

Since you are using a still air incubator and if not using a egg o meter or water weasel w/ a thermometer probe to put in the water weasel to monitor the temp your temp should be 101.5, not 99.5. If using a egg o meter or water weasel then the temp should be 99.5. The egg o meter measure the inside temp of the egg which if using a still air or forced air should read 99.5.

You need to get a hygrometer. That measure your humidity. You can get a hygro at the pet store. They are usually pretty cheap. However will have to calibrate it. Take 1/4 cup of salt to 1/2 cup of water mix the two together and then take the hygrometer and seal it along w/ the salt and water in a zip loc bag. After 8hrs it should read 75%. If it doesn't read 75% after 8hrs you will know how much it is off by and know what it should read when you need to add water.

If these eggs don't hatch are you planning on trying more eggs? If so I'd recommend getting the egg o meter to monitor your temp and you will definately need a hygro. The first 18 days humidity should be 38-42%. I know some people say 50%, but I think 50% is still to high for first 18 days. After Day 18 most people up there humidity to 60-65% and don't open the incubator until everything has hatched. Otherwise you might shrink wrap any chicks by opening and close the top of the incubator by letting the humidity out.

Hope this info has helped.

 

[anna14939]

thanks im going to try again with all the correct stuff i need and one more qustion should i just go ahead and get rid of the eggs that are in there because like i said there four days late??? thanks again!

 

[croach510]

I would do the water test, before you just get rid of them. Take a bowl of warm water, around 100 and float the eggs in it, 1/3 of the large end of the egg should be out of the water. If the chick is still alive you will see movement in the water from the egg. I always do this just to make sure, before I toss the eggs. Twice I have had babies that where still alive and did hatch. Gook Luck..

 

[anna14939]

okay i will try it

 

[anna14939]

but what do you mean around 100