Is it harder for a successful hatch in late summer?

[hmlongino]

I started out in the spring with excellent hatch rates. As the summer went on, my rates have dropped to less than 24%. My latest one had ONE chick out of 18. Is it possible that the more humid air is effecting the outcome? I haven't done an egg-topsy (wish I had), but I am thinking about moving my bator from our finished (and air conditioned) garage to a room inside the house in hopes of a more constant humidity outside the bator-- assuming that is even the issue.


I'd love thoughts on late summer results for those who aren't using cabinet bators (I think they would be less effected by fluctuations). I have a HovaBator Genesis Egg Incubator 1588.


I need to have a PLAN for our last attempt!

Thanks!
Holly

 

[yinepu]

there could be several reasons for a reduced hatch rate

fertility issues with the roosters (heat will do that sometimes)
bacterial issues in the incubator where after several hatches bacteria grows from improper sterilization of the hatcher
dietary issues for both the hen and the rooster
eggs being left out in too warm of a storage area for too long (they are in better condition at 50 degrees for 10 days then they would at 90 degrees for the same amount of time.. the eggs degrade faster in the heat)
high temp spikes from external heat

high humidity COULD be an issue if the chicks were drowning in the shells but since you didn't break open the eggs and i have absolutely no idea what your humidity has been I can't say for sure

 

[yinepu]

oh..also shipped eggs really suffer from rough handling from the post office.. (yes sometimes we get lucky and they aren't handled as rough.. just never know for sure what happens to them from point of origin to destination).. add to it high heat in transit and the hatch rates really plummet.. were you using your eggs or shipped ones?

 

[hmlongino]

I was using a combo... bad luck on all of them regardless!

It does make sense about the heat. Even the eggs that made it to lockdown aren't hatching? I should have opened them up to see what was going on.... drat!

 

[skelly]

I'm having the same problem.I had about 60 to 70 % hatch rate in April and now if I get 20% I'm doing good.