Incubator layers... Different hatch time???

[Lynnsey]

So I have a two layered incubator. I have 32 on the top and 32 on the bottom. The top ones are a week younger than the ones on the bottom. But they are hatching earlier and faster. I have 4 on the top and 3 on the way. On the bottom there are 2 while no one seems to be making an effort. Is it because of the top and bottom difference? Are the just developing slower? The top chicks are doing great but the bottom Ines are making me nervous. Is there a difference in chick development based on the top and bottom difference? Even though the temp and humidity should be distributed equally?

 

[SunHwaKwon]

I considered getting that incubator but I assume that heat and humidity would not be evenly distributed, even with a fan, and I suspect I was right. The top ones are right by the heat and blocking it from being able to circulate down below, and the design of the incubator makes it hard to monitor and adjust for that.

 

[paneubert]

Yeah......I can't imagine the heat is the same on both levels. I have a circulated air incubator and my temp changes when taken even a quarter inch higher or lower. You seeing the younger ones hatching first should be a pretty strong signal that they were "hotter" the entire time than the lower ones. Are you seeing any birth defects or other signs that they hatched too soon? Were you measuring temp at the top of the higher rack, or somewhere else? Should they all be hatching right now, or are the top ones early/bottom ones late?

 

[Lynnsey]

Yeah......I can't imagine the heat is the same on both levels. I have a circulated air incubator and my temp changes when taken even a quarter inch higher or lower. You seeing the younger ones hatching first should be a pretty strong signal that they were "hotter

Yeah......I can't imagine the heat is the same on both levels. I have a circulated air incubator and my temp changes when taken even a quarter inch higher or lower. You seeing the younger ones hatching first should be a pretty strong signal that they were "hotter" the entire time than the lower ones. Are you seeing any birth defects or other signs that they hatched too soon? Were you measuring temp at the top of the higher rack,

The top are happy and healthy. The bottom are a little out of it and seem to be dizzy. I only have hatched the 2 from the bottom. I haven't measured temp difference between the 2 levels.
Should I wait longer for the bottom? if i put them on top would they hatch or are they already dead?

 

[paneubert]

If the bottom can be assumed to be colder, they should be less at risk than the hotter ones. Mostly means they will hatch later. I am going to guess that the top temp was good, and the bottom was low. You could move them up and see what happens.