Please tell me what I am doing wrong-hatch rate stinks!!

[IroquoisEgg]

Hey all,

I have been hatching for a few months pretty much continually. I use 2 circulated air hovabators and 1 Genesis. Auto turners as well. All of the eggs are being shipped either from BYC or Ebay. The eggs that make it to lockdown are usually about 50-75% of total eggs shipped. My BIG problem is this: I go into lockdown, candle the eggs 1st of course to check status, see movement-then they go into lockdown with humidity at 60-70% and temps. at 99-100. Then, very few actually hatch!

So far, the only clues I can come up with is that they more times than not-pip early and hatch early. The ones that don't make it don't even pip...seems worse with bantam eggs. I try to keep them 35-45% humidity for the 18 days, very little handling/candling, no temp spikes or anything like that...All seems great they just don't pip.

Please help me get a hold on this..I have over 30 eggs going into lockdown but wanted to post and see if anyone has some tips for me. It's so disappointing when you only get 1 chick out of 10 eggs you paid $55.00 for.

 

[debilorrah]

You are going to get alot of opinions here and I will share mine with you. I personally feel that 60-70% is far too high. After the bird hatches, your humidity goes through the roof anyways. I try to keep mine at 45% during lockdown.

 

[youngbiddy]

Have you opened any afterward? You can get some clues from that, there are several threads on that around here.

 

[encorepistol]

What kind of thermometer are you using? Sounds like the temps are too high. I had trouble with the styrafoam incubators until I bought a brinsea spot check thermometer. The ones I was using were off by a degree or two. Thats the first thing Id check. I dry incubate now until lockdown then jump it up to around 60 %

 

[dolly85]

Try getting some eggs locally and see what your hatch rates are compared to your shipped eggs. I suspect the reason you have a hard time hatching is because the eggs are just so shaken during shipping.... Sounds like you are doing a good job on your part.

 

[lockedhearts]

Quote:
I agree with Debi! I generally keep my humidity about 35-40 during incubation and raise it to 45-50 for hatch. I have Duck eggs in this batch so running a little higher, but not much.

 

[HEChicken]

I agree with the other responders - that humidity is too high in my opinion too. Also, have you calibrated your hygrometer? If it is reading 60-70% and is off by 10-15%, you may actually be going into lockdown with 70-85% or so. Last, have you calibrated your thermometer? It must be "in the ballpark" or they wouldn't develop at all but if they are regularly hatching earlier than you expect, it sounds as though it is reading lower than it actually is.

 

[SimplySplendidSilkies]

I agree with the humidity being to high!

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
I agree with Debi! I generally keep my humidity about 35-40 during incubation and raise it to 45-50 for hatch. I have Duck eggs in this batch so running a little higher, but not much.

Karen do yourself a favor and don't increase it too much for the ducks. I used to, because that was what I learned. This last time, I kept it 55% for lockdown and they all hatched.

 

[lockedhearts]

Quote:
I agree with Debi! I generally keep my humidity about 35-40 during incubation and raise it to 45-50 for hatch. I have Duck eggs in this batch so running a little higher, but not much.

Karen do yourself a favor and don't increase it too much for the ducks. I used to, because that was what I learned. This last time, I kept it 55% for lockdown and they all hatched.

I have it about 48 now, was planning on about 55 or so for hatch. Nancy told me no real need to raise it a bunch.