Incubating and Hatching

[jli22182]

Hi I had been hatching chicks since kids were young for a while but haven’t done it for 10 years. My old records was like 90-100% hatching rate.
I put in 20 eggs (ranging from 7 days old to a day old) in the incubator on 7/9. One was so early that it peeped on 7/26 but did not manage to come out all the way. The next 5 chicks (one I helped) came out on 7/27. Two peeped the same day but died inside. I never experienced such high death rate!
And now there are 12 eggs still in the incubator. Today is day 21. I plan to wait a few more days.
The humidity level was kept at 60 to 70% the whole time and increase to 80% for the other few that were hatching. It may contribute to hatching late? But why the other 8 peeped early?
Any advices please! Thank you.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Too high on the humidity for days 1-18. It should be at 40-50% max - and some people recommend even less. Then bump it up to 70% +/- for the last 3 days.

Why it matters: The egg shells are porous. There needs to be some evaporation in the first 2-1/2 weeks so the air cell grows large enough for the chicks to breathe during hatch, but before they've externally pipped. If the air cell is too small, they could miss the target or simply suffocate or drown inside the shell just before hatching. It's too late to reduce humidity now - they could end up shrink-wrapped or fail to get out of the shell.

You may need to read up on this article, ASAP:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

I don't know for sure about early or late hatching, but think I've read somewhere that higher temps in the incubator can contribute to an early hatch, and lower temps to a late hatch.

Can you post a photo of your setup? How consistent has the temperature been kept? (99.5-degrees?)

 

[jli22182]

Hi Thank you very much for your help!
I have two thermostats inside the still air incubator. I’m pretty sure that the temp has been at 98.5-99.5. But what you said is pointing to a total failure for the other remaining 12 eggs because the humidity level inside the incubator has been too high. I felt so bad…
I really like the 5 chicks and was hoping to get more of them, a mix of a beautiful calico silkie rooster and Araucana hens.

 

[jli22182]

Hi thank you very much. I read the article you sent but my question is how to judge if the chick is still alive in the egg. I don’t hear any chicks chirping from inside… should I start anyway with an air hole?

 

[BarnyardChaos]

@Wyorp Rock
@Eggcessive
@azygous
Tagging these folks. I'm not sure which of these members can assist most at this point - maybe all three - or maybe someone else ....

 

[jli22182]

Thank you again!
I’ve assisted hatchlings several times but never done airhole and coconut oil.
I’ll wait to hear back from
@Wyorp Rock
@Eggcessive
@azygous

 

[BarnyardChaos]

I'll withhold any ideas about making a safety hole - my knowledge is very limited on this detail and I don't want to suggest anything that might kill a still viable chick, or cause one to explode in your face (I've had that happen! ewww). Hoping others with more knowledge will jump in...

I can suggest you try a "water candling". Get a cup of warm water. Check the egg carefully for any hairline cracks - don't candle if it has. Drop the egg into the water. Let it settle (it will float), then watch the surface of the water for any movement or vibration. Check this thread - there's a link to a video within it.

 

[jli22182]

Thank you for the suggestion! I’ve read the water candling yesterday but very unsure about how to conduct it… I’ll just wait.

 

[jli22182]

Hi thanks!
I just found out/read about the water candling yesterday. Not sure about it. Maybe it’s best to observe or start air holes soon?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I don't do a lot of hatching, so perhaps @CluckNDoodle can chime in.