Incubation issues

[Senna95]

Hello,

I just moved about 40 eggs into the hatcher after spending the correct amount of time in my forced air cabinet incubator. Problem is that their air cells are still too small. I haven't had any water in the incubator for humidity (last year I did, and had the same problem). I guess our air here in the PNW is just naturally moist enough...

So, I'm hoping for the best, and planning on increasing humidity only when I start to see pips. Or at least, that's my thought at the moment.

Any suggestions or comments? Or perhaps some advise for the next hatch?

Thanks

 

[Laurelm]

Hello,

I just moved about 40 eggs into the hatcher after spending the correct amount of time in my forced air cabinet incubator.  Problem is that their air cells are still too small.  I haven't had any water in the incubator for humidity (last year I did, and had the same problem).  I guess our air here in the PNW is just naturally moist enough...

So, I'm hoping for the best, and planning on increasing humidity only when I start to see pips.  Or at least, that's my thought at the moment.

Any suggestions or comments?  Or perhaps some advise for the next hatch?

Thanks

During the first 18 days you need the humidity between 45-55% and raise it to 55-65% the last 3-4 days. The only way to accomplish this is to have water in the incubator.

Raise the humidity in your hatcher and maybe you'll get lucky and some chicks will hatch or you may loose the whole hatch.

Hope it works out for you.

 

[charlindabob]

Hello,

I just moved about 40 eggs into the hatcher after spending the correct amount of time in my forced air cabinet incubator. Problem is that their air cells are still too small. I haven't had any water in the incubator for humidity (last year I did, and had the same problem). I guess our air here in the PNW is just naturally moist enough...

So, I'm hoping for the best, and planning on increasing humidity only when I start to see pips. Or at least, that's my thought at the moment.

Any suggestions or comments? Or perhaps some advise for the next hatch?

Thanks

During the first 18 days you need the humidity between 45-55% and raise it to 55-65% the last 3-4 days. The only way to accomplish this is to have water in the incubator.

Raise the humidity in your hatcher and maybe you'll get lucky and some chicks will hatch or you may loose the whole hatch.

Hope it works out for you.

Just so I understand, what are you incubating? If you haven't a gram scale (small food scale that measures in grams available at WM for around $15) or any scale that measures in grams, how do you know if you should add or remove water from your incubator? Watching the air sac helps, but it isn't exact like weighing weekly.

This is especially important on high dollar eggs where every egg means $$$.

 

[Laurelm]

Just so I understand, what are you incubating?  If you haven't a gram scale (small food scale that measures in grams available at WM for around $15) or any scale that measures in grams, how do you know if you should add or remove water from your incubator?  Watching the air sac helps, but it isn't exact like weighing weekly.

This is especially important on high dollar eggs where every egg means $$$.

I am incubating chicken eggs. I have been hatching for years and find this is what works for me. I use a hova bator 1588 which has a preset temp of 99.5 and I control the humidity. I candle at 10 days and day 18. If the humidity has been correct then there is a decent size air sac for the little ones to break into.

I too, hatch high dollar eggs and need to minimize loss. As I said what I do works best for me and I have many successful hatches. But there is always more than one way to do things so whatever works for you is great.

 

[aprille218]

If you naturally have high humidity it can be a problem with successfully hatching eggs. No I don't think you have to always add water to the incubator. In fact you and many others might not ever need to add water depending on the humidity levels of your house/ location of incubator. Research the "dry hatch" method. Without using a high tech incubator (R com, nature hatch) maybe you could use a dehumidifier in your incubator room? Also incubating older eggs and fewer at a time helps them dry out more. I think your idea of not adding water until pips are seen will be fine. Good Luck
Aprille

 

[Senna95]

Thank you.

Do you think, since the air cells are so small that it might be a good idea to put a tiny air-hole in the end of the egg? I know the chicks use that air in the air cell after they pip internally, and since it's so small they may need a little extra (fresh air, that is). I don't want to risk the eggs drying out though...

The de-humidifier in the room is a good idea. I'll try that.

 

[charlindabob]

I am incubating chicken eggs. I have been hatching for years and find this is what works for me. I use a hova bator 1588 which has a preset temp of 99.5 and I control the humidity. I candle at 10 days and day 18. If the humidity has been correct then there is a decent size air sac for the little ones to break into.

I too, hatch high dollar eggs and need to minimize loss. As I said what I do works best for me and I have many successful hatches. But there is always more than one way to do things so whatever works for you is great.

OK, sorry.....you asked for comments or suggestings