incubating advice needed

[squeak1387]

Ok so I recently had 24 eggs in the incubator. I had 10 hatch and live. 2 were total duds. 5 died in incubation. Now here is my problem, 7 of my chicks pipped and did not make it much farther. I use a styrafoam still air incubator. There are 2 plugs in the top. We leave both in for a week, open up one at the begining of week 2. Then when there is a week left we open the 2nd plug.
What am I doing wrong? What else can I do to make things work right so they actually make it farther than the pip.

 

[Kermit's shadow]

You have to measure (reasonably accurately), and control the RH - target 45-50%.

 

[squeak1387]

How do I do that? I have a thermomiter but that's all it can with.

 

[Sparkalator]

You can buy little digital ones from Wal-Mart that measure both temperature and relative humidity, for very little.

 

[Ladybird CA]

How long has it been since they pipped? If it has been more than 24 hours you might need to help them, but if you see blood, stop.

 

[squeak1387]

they pipped over 24 hours ago and i know for sure they are dead cause i took them out to attempt to help, but they were dead. i have been told that using a squirt bottle once a day to mist them will help. anyone do that? do you do it the whole time or just toward the end? thank you sparkalator i am going to look at that and see about getting one of those as well