Please help! What am I doing wrong? (warning: semi-graphic photo)

[FlashPointFarm]

I had that same problem on my first couple of hatches. Different areas need different humidity levels, depending on the time of year and the humidity level in the area you live in. When I tried lowering my humidity to 25-35% during incubation and 60-65% during hatching, the problem stopped.

Another idea for disinfecting that has worked well for me is alcohol. I just clean thoroughly with bleach and soapy water, gently scrubbing it with a brush. Then I put alcohol in a spray bottle and spray it down, even around the motor. It helps it dry faster, won't damage the electrical, and kills 99% of germs.

Good luck with the rest of your hatch.

 

[FortWorthChicks]

Awww Good luck with this one

cheering always helps!

 

[silkiechicken]

Quote:
I'm going to have to agree with the liquid and froth being drowning. It is very well possible that the egg shells are thicker or for some reason water does not evaporate fast enough from the eggs over the time of incubation. I don't check my humidity, just observe air cell size. Perhaps you might want to look into what the air cell sizes should be on day 18 to guage if there is too much or too little humidity?

 

[KKatknap]

Quote:
Ok...this brought tears to my eyes. That boy is a keeper.

Hoping the rest of your babies hatch healthy!!

 

[Bravo]

Ok, one of the plugs is removed and humidity is down to 65%. I really hope this helps.

I just ordered a Genesis and after this hatch is done I am going to put this bator away. Its a Little Giant turbo fan.

I called TSC to see if by any chance they carried the Genesis and they dont but the gentleman who was helping me gave me a really great piece of advice that I thought was too good not to share with you all.

He said that if it is bacterial, after the hatch, clean out the bator as best as possible. Put all of the parts back into it, plug the egg turner and the bator back in, put the vent plugs in and fill both troughs with a 1:5 bleach/water solution and let it run for 24 hours. This gives the bleach a chance to penetrate all of the parts of the bator, including the fan and other electrical nooks and crannies you cant get normally. After 24 hours let all the parts dry in the sun. I dont know why I didnt think of this before.

Thanks KKatnap! He is such a good man--I am really lucky to have him in my life.

 

[Bravo]

Silkychicken--humidity was 35% for days 1-18. On day 18 the aircell was right where it was supposed to be according to the chart (I believe someone on here asked for it very recently).

We just lowered the humidity to 65% hopefully it isnt too late--think good thoughts for us. We need it!

 

[Keri78]

I'm still extremely new to hatching babies! My first batch is in the bator as we speak...but are those maran eggs??? If so then I have spoken to a women that raises marans and she warned me that the better the bloodlines the more difficult it is to hatch these babies and that most do die while hatching. (Please don't kill the messenger for this one!) I'm simply repeating what I heard and this comes from a newbie! She said that she has to assist every maran chick out of it's egg or it will die. She does this by knowing when to chip the egg, how to chip away the egg, and all of these other little details that scared me to DEATH about trying to hatch NICE maran eggs! She said my best bet would be to just buy chicks! AND HONESTLY this came from someone who sells her eggs for ALOT of money!!! Just said this to encourage you that it may not have anything to do with you at all but rather the particular breed is just very difficult to hatch. Blessings,Keri

 

[rancher hicks]

Last hatch I had one that was good but I wasn't home and my family didnt' help it out. Then again my rule was to just let them work it out themselves. You did nothing wrong. In my case the chick was just to big. He couldn't break through the membrane.
Remember all eggs are not created equal. Some have really hard shells and tough membranes. He jus probably didn't have the strength to get out. Too, you can never predict or know what will be in their genetic bowl of soup. It's all part of chicken keeping.

 

[Bravo]

Quote:
Thanks Keri! Yes, these are a test batch of BCM eggs I bought off ebay. I am getting a dozen from another forum member and those will be my prize eggs.

I had no idea you had to help them out! That is crazy. Well, at this point, if they are zipping I can help...I have nothing left to lose, right?

 

[kathyinmo]

I think it is a humidity issue, as well. I think sometimes, less is better.

Just a few hours ago I realized I had 2 eggs in the incubator that should have come out, and went into the hatcher. I had forgotten about them. They were still in the turner, as well..... for 21 days! Humidity at 32% all the way through. Well, one egg just now hatched ... nice, clean hatch!

This has taught me a lesson. I usually incubate at 30 - 35% and hatch at 60 -65%. I don't think I need to worry, when the humidity is not above 60% at hatch. Anyway, I will be worrying less now!