Incubator hatching at many stages.

[tb0814]

We have a hen who is broody, the other hens laid under her and before we realized it mama hen had almost 2 dozen eggs under her. We took about 10 and bought them inside to put in an incubator. After the chicks started hatching we took the rest of the eggs in as well. They are at completely different stages. We had our first chick hatch in the incubator but, because we couldn't let the moisture out since we still have eggs at varying stages, we moved baby chick to her own box under a heat lamp. She died. What did I do wrong? How do I go about hatching these eggs that wont be ready at the same time?

 

[Ellaluvsbirds]

How long was the chick in the incubator? I have always kept my new chicks in the incubator for a day. Not sure if this will help but... You could candle the eggs to see approximately what stage they`re at and then you would have an idea of how far away from their hatch date they were.

 

[tb0814]

She wasn't in there very long. Ive candled the other eggs but this is my first time hatching so I really don't know how to tell when they will hatch. I have them in order from "biggest dark mass" to "smallest dark mass." Will the extra moisture in the incubator hurt? I've read they need to dry off which is why I took her out.