Incubating troubles

[MommaRow]

This hatch and the last I have eggs that were ready to hatch but never even pipped. Most of the eggs from the hatches were successful, maybe 30% seem to be full term without hatching. What am I doing wrong?

 

[JaeG]

The easiest thing that can be missed is opening all vents fully/removing vent plugs (depending on your incubator) for lockdown. Hatching eggs need a constant supply of fresh air, otherwise they suffocate.

Have you calibrated your thermometer and hygrometer? It's a good idea to have an independent hygrometer and thermometer because the ones on the incubators are rarely accurate.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...incubator-thermometers-and-hygrometers.73634/

Incubators can have hotter and colder spots so rearranging your eggs frequently can help to average out those fluctuations.

Those would be the most common factors that affect a hatch.

 

[MommaRow]

Thank you. I will definitely try moving the eggs around next time. I am confident in temperature and humidity. I just don’t understand why so many eggs Are fully developed but not hatching. I had 24 in last batch, 14 hatched and are healthy and thriving, 3 were not fertile and 7(!) were fully developed. I gave them 4 days beyond the expected hatch date to be sure but they were all deceased as of today.

 

[Punkybrewster]

I have that happen if my humidity runs too high day 1-18 and i cant get it down. Humid south carolina summer for instance.

Try keeping it around 30%

 

[MommaRow]

I have that happen if my humidity runs too high day 1-18 and i cant get it down. Humid south carolina summer for instance.

Try keeping it around 30%

Ok that’s something I will watch.