Losses with Brinsea - TW photos

[Thefluffbutthut]

Has anyone had problems with late losses with Brinsea mini advanced? I hatch a lot, and i've never had any problems in the past with other incubators. But my last 5 batches I've had less than 1/6 successful hatch rates. Temps were kept a steady 37.5-37.6 degrees C. Humidity 40% then bumped to 50-55% for lockdown. Chicks & ducklings were all fully developed, but passed on day 20 (or day 27 for ducklings). Yolk still intact, no internal pipping. I've read the minis don't keep a stable temperature due to their small size, so it's harder to maintain it. I've got two, so I don't think it's a fault with the incubator itself, as I'm experiencing losses using both. Any ideas of where I could be going wrong? I know it's a case of trial and error, but I just can't seem to find that balance with this incubator..

 

[Debbie292d]

I would go another 10 on humidity on lockdown, like 65-70%, but still don't think that's the entire issue.

You could get a Govee thermometer/hygrometer as those can monitor the temperatures and do a graph for you on your phone/ipad. Then you'd know exactly what the temps are at any given time.

The other thing I've heard folks do to stabilize temps is to insulate the incubator with a blanket. Just be sure the air vent can still bring in fresh air though.

Are you getting all of your eggs from the same source? If the hens aren't real healthy, or something is genetically flawed with one of the parents, that can play a part in the eggs they lay. Maybe try a different source, even if they are your own, not saying yours aren't healthy, but that's a better way to find out if there is something else going on.