my baby's didn't make it I having trouble getting to hatch day

[lexieshelle]

So day 23 came and went so i candled them. But there was no movement and a funny smell. so i opened them and they had passed . It looks like somewhere around day 14 to 18. I'm so depressed. I know it sound silly but I felt like they where my baby's. I'm stuck trying to figure out what I did wrong any help will be appreciated please. And thank you

 

[justplainbatty]

So day 23 came and went so i candled them. But there was no movement and a funny smell. so i opened them and they had passed . It looks like somewhere around day 14 to 18. I'm so depressed. I know it sound silly but I felt like they where my baby's. I'm stuck trying to figure out what I did wrong any help will be appreciated please. And thank you

Welcome to our flock

It isn't silly. they were your babies! I've never used an incubator so I'm not much help. We care and someone will help. Sorry for your losses

 

[Urban Flock]

Welcome to BYC. I don't know about incubating but hang tight someone on here will be able to help you. No it's not silly. The first time I took a chicken to the vet's I was crying and laughing. Crying because I was worried over a chicken. Laughing because I couldn't believe I was at the vet's with a chicken of all things. My vet was so nice. He told me that chickens are the number one backyard pets. That made me feel better. We all have our ups and downs raising chickens and sometimes things just happen so don't be too hard on yourself.

 

[BonRae67]

Let's start with what type of incubator, what was temperature and humidity days 1-18, then what was temperature and humidity when you pit them on lockdown on day 18?

 

[lexieshelle]

Temp was 99.5-101.5 humidity was 45-55 but a few times I would notice the humidity would fall because the water evaped to quickly so I had to add more

 

[lexieshelle]

Incubator is homemade

 

[lexieshelle]

 

[BonRae67]

Did you put them on "lockdown" on day 18. Raising the humidity to about 65% and close them up and not open it til after hatch day?

 

[lexieshelle]

I stopped turning them on day 18 I didn't up the humidity though

 

[BonRae67]

Sometimes they just dont hatch. I set 6 to hatch around the 10th. None of mine hatched. I didn't open them to see why. They just gave up. Did you candle them on day 18 to see if they were moving? They may have been quitters before day 18. We can learn from this and try again.