Is it too late? Dry babies, please help!

[Shannon's Chix]

Today is day 21 for my d'uccles (first batch of bantams). The first chick that pipped had zipped and then died, that has never happened to me before. One hatched but seemed dryer than my previous hatches. I had another zip (about 24 hours after pip) and didn't seem to be getting anywhere. I helped him out and the membrane was really stuck to him. I incubated at about 40-50% and at lockdown have been a constant 65. Since they seem dry I increased the humidity to 75-78%...is this ok? Is there anything else I should do for these dry babies???

 

[karen71]

I don't know sounds like your humidity is where I've seen it recommended - could your hydrometer be off ?
Hopefully you get notices and some of the hatching Guru's answer....

 

[Shannon's Chix]

Pretty sure my hydrometer is correct. Calibrated it and put in new batteries about a week ago. I have a brinsea octo 20 eco and have both chambers filled, a washcloth in one chamber and partly out, and added a sponge...

 

[Britney]

Are you incubating shipped eggs? if they were shipped, did you allow at least 8 to 24 hours before incubating, for them to settle and get to room temperature?

 

[Shannon's Chix]

Yes they actually sat (in carton, pointy side down, at about 60-65 degrees, for 48 hours because I had another hatch going on. They all developed really well and I had only one clear at lockdown.

 

[TriciaHowe]

High humidity can cause sticky chicks...I never go over 50% for hatch.

 

[kathyinmo]

Check out this Hatchability Problem Analysis
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/aa204

Troubleshooting: Specific Problems
Sign: Not pipped. Full-term embryo, large yolk sac; yolk sac may not be fully enclosed by abdominal wall, may have residual albumen.
Causes:
Inadequate turning, resulting in decreased embryonic membrane development and nutrient absorption.

Humidity too high during incubation or after transfer.

Incubator temperature too low.

Hatcher temperature too high.

Eggs chilled (e.g., at transfer).

Nutritional deficiencies.

Heredity.

Embryological development accident.

Breeder diseases.

Inadequate ventilation.

Prolonged egg storage.

Sign: Pipped. Full-term embryo, dead in shell.
Causes:
Low humidity or temperature for a prolonged period.

Low humidity during hatching.

High temperature during hatching.

Nutritional deficiencies.

Breeder diseases.

Poor ventilation.

Inadequate turning during first 12 days.

Injury during transfer.

Prolonged egg storage.

Sign: Shell partially pipped, embryo alive or dead.
Causes:
See 8.a-i.

Excessive fumigation during hatching.

Eggs set small end up.

Sign: Chicks hatch early; tendency to be thin and noisy.
Causes:
Small eggs.

Differences among breeds.

Incubator temperature too high.

Incubator humidity too low.

 

[karen71]

I told you the hatching Guru would post !

 

[Shannon's Chix]

yes I see that...thanks everyone!

 

[RedfogsFlock]

I'm currently 75 - 78% humidity for lockdown on my chicks, and they are doing just fine with that.