Is something wrong with my incubator? Hatching problems

[SamuelMcF]

It has lots of little ones on the bottom and one that's like a 1/2" diameter on top.

 

[Arielle]

I'm thinking that the number of holes is related to the number of eggs the incubator holds. I've tried to read about this , and my LG isn't the same model as yours, yet I keep reading about the need to increase the number of holes at day 10 for chickens (day 14 turkeys) to increase the ventilation ie oxygen. Apparently the bigger the chick grows the more gas exchange takes place thru the shell. The chick will need more and more oxygen, and to get rid off carbon dioxide and other gases.

Here's a thought.Did you know that mammals inhale to breathe based on the build up of carbon dioxide; our breathing system is not oxygen based. We need oxygen, yes, but the triggers in our body to breath is based on an increase of carbon dioxide, not a decrease of oxygen. Perhaps, just perhaps, the bird is designed the same way. I'm not sure where I'm going with this idea . . . .Maybe I just mean that the eggs need more gas exchange and ventilation at an earlier day in the incubation(day 10), and another increase again at day 18, hatch.

FYI:I've only been reading alot; still on my first attempt to hatch.

Good luck

LG : 40 eggs, 8 holes top, 8 holes bottom AND 2 large holes, about 1/2 inch diameter tat can be closed (or opened).

 

[Lacrystol]

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That makes a lot of sense, never really thought about "gases in the air".

 

[Christie Rhae]

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This is my exact outcome from my first hatch. Using the hovabator.. one awesome healthy chick who even pipped a day early... and dead chicks in shell... sigh... Trying again of course... got hatching dates in 1 1/2 weeks and 2 weeks for my next batches.

 

[SamuelMcF]

I'm going to start another hatch tomorrow. I found a scale that i'll bring home and measure weight loss. I think I really need to just do this exactly right. I'm gonna hold off on adding another hole for oxygen right now because I just don't see why hovabator would sell something that didn't allow enough oxygen in. Especially when this model gets such good reviews. Its just hard to figure things like this out because there is SO many variables!

 

[Elite Silkies]

Do you sterilize your bator after each use? If not, I would give that a try. I raise silkies, so may be a little different, but my humidity is around 40-50% for the first 18 days, and I increase it to 65-70% during lock down.

 

[SamuelMcF]

Yes I'm very very thorough in disinfecting the bator.

 

[Elite Silkies]

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I would try increasing the humidity and maybe adding an extra hole for oxygen. The only problems I have are lavender chicks, and I can not get those to hatch for anything.

 

[destin0709]

I have 3 chicks doing same thing.The 3 were due yesterday and 2 hatched 1 day early. Kept humidity at 50-55% first 18 days and then up to 65% for lockdown temp at steady 99.5-100. All were moving before lockdown but I don't see movement now. I swear I hear occational noise inside. I know they can go longer but when is time to give up?

 

[Lacrystol]

I have noticed its sillies are usually late, I won't wait no more then 5 days after the due date