Just checked all of the unhatched eggs

[TedJan92_in_Idaho]

Just checked all my unhatched eggs

37 out of 71 did not make it. I broke them all and checked them. 31 out of the 37 had fully formed chicks that didn't pip. I incubated at 45% and locked down at 71%. So what could be the reason for so many not pipping? I'm thinking it is just the way it is.

 

[bfrancis]

Were the eggs from your own birds or were they shipped to you?

 

[TedJan92_in_Idaho]

They were shipped over 2400 miles and arrived in 17 degree weather. This is the best hatch I have ever had on shipped eggs.

 

[TheRealTimShady]

natural selection....just the way it is

 

[Stellar]

My goodness! Maybe if the humidity was a tad up you have had more? I usually keep it at 50-60 anyways, just how it goes. But for shipped eggs that is amazing!

 

[TedJan92_in_Idaho]

I will try 55% during incubation next time. See what happens

 

[bfrancis]

When mine have started to pip, I will take a spray bottle and mist a couple times to make sure they don't shrink wrap. Even with higher humidity, when you are pulling out chicks that are dry to go to a brooder and you still have eggs, you release some of the moisture that could pose a problem.

This might not work for everyone...and there are others that will say that isn't how we do it even after 20,000,000 eggs...but it works for me.

 

[TheRealTimShady]

Quote:
i've also heard that adding like, a small amount of boiling water to the wells helps bring it up really fast

 

[dt1958]

Quote:
50%-60% throught the hatch or just until lockdown & then raise it ?

 

[Stellar]

Quote:
50%-60% throught the hatch or just until lockdown & then raise it ?

Throughout hatch. The humidity usually rises when they start pipping.