Ok so I've read about 10 pages so far and there is a lot of good stuff so thanks. Here's my problem. I've tried hatching since November 2014. I've had a couple call ducks hatch but not make it but out of about 40 eggs, give or take for shipping and not fertile, I have nothing to show for it. I have the new LG 9300 with turner still air at first but recently added the LG fan. Of course there is still 3 or 4 different areas with different temps. So I found in the middle right under the heat element was where I could put them and stick the thermometer with the plastic backing on top of the eggs and at first I think it worked. I have a digital thermo with hygro sensors, a long probe digital thermo and a analog one at first. All showing different readings where I had them. I keep the sensor for the digital thermo/hygro between eggs under the bators thermometer and when calibrated it showed to be 1.4 degrees higher than supposed to be. So I adjusted and monitored. But it's been fluctuating quite often this last week and not for sure if accurate anymore. So I finally found a Mercury thermometer, almost impossible,and have it sitting now on top of the plastic of thermometer for bator. I'm currently hatching old English chicks. Started out with 12. Day 5 I had 7 growing good but one was iffy. Today day 12 I wanted to check cause yesterday before I got the mercury thermo the readings were wonky. I'm now down to 3. Im not quite sure what the hell is going on! The humidity is a *****, I also calibrated them and at the beginning the first week u think it was ok but now idk. Most of u said u fill the channels full with water during incubation. When I just fill 1 or 2 in the middle my humidity jumps up to 65 sometimes and stays ther for at least 24 hrs before it goes to 55-60. Early I tried a little less and the dang thing jumped up there again where it has been 65 since 12 hours ago. I'm thinking they had 2 much humidity but the air sacs of these 3 look decent. But the temp fluctuates ALOT. Especially when the humidity drops to 15 percent it jumps 1-2 degrees. I live high elevation 6600 ft and it's super dry here. I don't know what I'm doing so wrong that I keep killing them. I accept I'm gonna lose some due to shipping and non fertile and nature but this is crazy. I've even done really good about not opening the lid at all except those 2 times to candle and a window to add water. I've placed a baby blanket over the bator like I read one person using a towel to help with drafts. I have it in a pretty stable room that no one goes in and out of but it's been cold and warm a lot and I think it's not helping. Any advice?
