Low hatch rate even when using dry incubation

[boobeesiayngco]

Hi folks. I’m still getting low hatch rates after trying dry incubation for my turkey eggs. My incubator is a forced air bator. My temp is steady at 37.5 and my humidity during the incubation period is 40% then up to 65% during hatching. Vents open. Out of 19 eggs only 1 hatched on the 28th day. 4 pipped but eventually died. Others had do air sac upon candling. Then on the 33rd day, I decided to call it quits. I tried opening 1 egg and was surprised that the chick was moving!! I forced it open too much that it died after several minutes. It looked wet and bloody and it still had some part of the yolk attached to it.

This is my 3rd batch of turkey egg incubation. The second yielded 1 chick out of 15 eggs. The first batch totally did not hatch and all died with fully formed chicks inside the eggs. Is my problem related to inbreeding? Genes? Certainly not nutrition because my breeders are well-fed with chicken feed and they roam around grassy areas. Or is my incubator faulty?

For the 4th batch, I’m considering having the turkey eggs naturally hatched through the hens. This way, I can find out if my bator has a problem or not. Thank you for your help!

 

[nuthatched]

Did you calibrate everything? It sounds like the Temps were too low.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I was going to suggest the same as @nuthatched , my first thought when reading your description was that your temps are low. What kind of incubator are you using and do you have a secondary calibrated thermometer/hygrometer?

 

[boobeesiayngco]

Did you calibrate everything? It sounds like the Temps were too low.

Yes, I calibrated the temp using an analog thermometer.

Here’s how my incubator looks like. It was made by a craftsman. No brand really. It has automatic temp regulator with auto turner.

Thanks for your help! Appreciate it.

@CluckNDoodle

 

[boobeesiayngco]

What do you guys suggest I do? Should I increase the temp to 37.8?

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Yes, I calibrated the temp using an analog thermometer.

Here’s how my incubator looks like. It was made by a craftsman. No brand really. It has automatic temp regulator with auto turner.

Thanks for your help! Appreciate it.

@CluckNDoodle

I'm not familiar with this incubator so I won't be much help there but if you're able to get a couple separate calibrated thermometers and place them right where you're incubating eggs and rotate them around to see if there is a big variance in temperature at different points that may be eye opening for you. In many incubators you can increase hatch rates by rotating eggs around the incubator to make up for hot and cold spots. What kind of turner is used in this incubator? Does it tilt? I've always incubated my turkey eggs on their sides, I'm not sure that would make a difference. I know it seems to make a big difference for goose eggs, they don't incubate upright well.

 

[nuthatched]

I'd invest in some foam sheets and insulate the walls better, they don't look very thick.

 

[aart]

Yes, I calibrated the temp using an analog thermometer.

But do you know if that therm is accurate?