Incubating second attempt first time was no go.

[Shadow722]

I bought some eggs from a breeder to incubate and part of my discussion with the breeder she told me that my humidity was too high. I followed the instructions with the incubator. She told me she has a 90 to 95% hatch rate with the humidity at 45% until the last 3 days then increasing to 55%. My instructions told me 55 to 60% then 75% the last 3 days. I have the styrofoam circulating air with automatic egg turner. I also kept my temp at 99.5 to 100 base on the thermometer inside not the one on the box.

On my last run I had one completely developed but dead in the shell. Out of the first 12 I was down to 5 which I could see veins in and some mass while candling. 1 had some small pieces in it that wasn't developed. I now have 30 eggs in it. 15 Blue Splash Marans and 15 Golden Lace Wyandottes.

Any tips or pointers to make this a successful run. I am around 24 hours into the incubating now.

 

[gatorshark75]

I bought some eggs from a breeder to incubate and part of my discussion with the breeder she told me that my humidity was too high. I followed the instructions with the incubator. She told me she has a 90 to 95% hatch rate with the humidity at 45% until the last 3 days then increasing to 55%. My instructions told me 55 to 60% then 75% the last 3 days. I have the styrofoam circulating air with automatic egg turner. I also kept my temp at 99.5 to 100 base on the thermometer inside not the one on the box.

On my last run I had one completely developed but dead in the shell. Out of the first 12 I was down to 5 which I could see veins in and some mass while candling. 1 had some small pieces in it that wasn't developed. I now have 30 eggs in it. 15 Blue Splash Marans and 15 Golden Lace Wyandottes.

Any tips or pointers to make this a successful run. I am around 24 hours into the incubating now

i have found the lower humidity works better here in florida i dont even have to put water or a sponge in my bator most of the time its so humid here and what the breeder said sounds about right also 99.5 is perfect even 99 is ok i dont like to go above 99.5 it decreases my hatch percentage also the more eggs you have in there the better the temp will hold steady and the better the humidity will stay if you choose to incubate in small batches again fill small sandwich bags with water and put them in the bator it will help keep the temp stable

 

[gimmie birdies]

If you candle veins are always good to see veins and a mass is good, just a mass no veins is not good, last few days you should not see into the egg but the air cell
this is a day 18 egg ready to lock down see the swoop- you should not be able to see into the rest of the egg. if you can the egg may need to wait before lock down.

 

[gatorshark75]

If you candle veins are always good to see veins and a mass is good, just a mass no veins is not good, last few days you should not see into the egg but the air cell
this is a day 18 egg ready to lock down see the swoop- you should not be able to see into the rest of the egg. if you can the egg may need to wait before lock down.

also let them incubate for at least 7 days before you candle that gives them time to spider web ive known people that would throw out perfectly good eggs cause they candled too soon and thought they were not fertile

 

[cluckerkeeper]

I live in a very dry climate and still go lower humidity. Check out the article about "dry hatching" When I did this my hatches improved incredibly. A little scary at first but it worked for me.

 

[gatorshark75]

I live in a very dry climate and still go lower humidity. Check out the article about "dry hatching" When I did this my hatches improved incredibly. A little scary at first but it worked for me.

i totally agree thats why i hardly ever use additional moisture in my bators

 

[cluckerkeeper]

It's nail biting the first time you dry incubate but once you see the results, well, I have never gone back.

 

[KilnChick]

I have a dry bator and was wondering, with any type, if opening the bator effects the eggs? Not speaking of open for a long time, just a minute or 2? Anyone?

 

[gimmie birdies]

I also dry hatch but some people are just so into the lock down thing and not ready to believe in dry hatch. I am giving them the best lock down advise I can for their issue. I don't like to lock down til I see external pip myself. (my reasoning for this is if the chick made an outer pip it has absorbed most of its fluids. and then I can assume the others have as well.)

 

[cluckerkeeper]

At lock down, yes it will affect the eggs and or chicks. The inner membrane can shrink wrap the chicks inside the shell if the humidity drops too rapidly. It may not hurt them but if you don't absolutely have to open it, why take the chance.

Occasionally there will be a pip that you don't see and it can affect the hatch. The chicks do well for a full day in the bator even after they have hatched so until you think the hatch is over, don't open it up.