**NEWBIE** Have a couple of questions

[KSP]

In late Feb. I decided to start chickens. I had an old incubator (the redwood kind) and decided to try and hatch some eggs. I could not get eggs from a local hatchery until end of March. Being impatient I decided to go ahead and buy some chicks. I loaded my kids up and we went to a local feed store that had some--the kids each picked out a baby and I got a couple of pullets for eggs. So questions are this:

**one of the chicks is a straight run bantam and does not seem to be growing--has gotten feathers in but is not getting any bigger--did I do something wrong with her (I think it is a girl) or do bantams grow alot slower?? She is about the size of a normal size day old chick.

**I have gotten my hatching eggs and it is day 23--nothing!! No pipping or chirping! My humidity is 85% and temp is 100--been there consistently. It is the old still-air incubator. I turned them 2 times a day and stopped turning at day 18. I think they did not make it--but when should I break them open to see if they formed.

 

[chickeypeep101]

85% is high for the whole incubation and it's really better to turn three times a day...

 

[mstricer]

83% humidity the whole time is way to much, I have my humidity at 36% and don't add water until it drops to 25%, I do have my temp at close to a 100* though. I don't know what to say, Maybe you could candle one or two to see if there is movement in the egg. The banties stay small under a pound for that much. they won't grow that much. You know like little people they are little chickens. Good luck with your hatch keep us informed. Michele

 

[mstricer]

I also didn't see it was a still air. The temp at the top of eggs should be at least 101*

 

[debilorrah]

Humidity is WAY too high. Temp should be 101 at least. Sounds like a bad hatch this time. Happened to me TWICE!