Poor hatch rates

Fraoch21

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What causes them? If i have a few eggs nice and healthy at lockdown stage, not many actually hatch, a lot don't even pip! Here's how i incubate;
Quail eggs, i normally have success with these- dry incubation method
Hen eggs- lockdown is day 18 at about 50% humidity
Duck eggs, I seem to have the worst luck with these- lockdown is day 24 at about 60-70% humidity
How can i increase my hatch rates?
 
What causes them? If i have a few eggs nice and healthy at lockdown stage, not many actually hatch, a lot don't even pip! Here's how i incubate;
Quail eggs, i normally have success with these- dry incubation method
Hen eggs- lockdown is day 18 at about 50% humidity
Duck eggs, I seem to have the worst luck with these- lockdown is day 24 at about 60-70% humidity
How can i increase my hatch rates?
Take a look at the links in my signature, they should help you.
Your humidity is way low. Dry incubation = living in a high humidity area, humidity should hold from 35 to 50 for first 18 days (for chickens) or until lock down for all else. Humidity for the last days should be 60- 65% chickens, ducks 65 up to 80% , quail as for chickens.
Please read the info in my sig.

Edited to make myself clear :)
 
Last edited:
Ah so its the humidity thats gone wrong, thank you!
That is only one of the things that can go wrong and the numbers that I gave you are in general. To really tell if the humidity is right you would have to check the air cell at day 7, 14,18 to see if the air cell is the right size.
If they're local eggs you have a better chance at a good hatch rate but if they're shipped, you'd be lucky to get half hatched.Let me know what you think of the link.
 
That is only one of the things that can go wrong and the numbers that I gave you are in general. To really tell if the humidity is right you would have to check the air cell at day 7, 14,18 to see if the air cell is the right size.
If they're local eggs you have a better chance at a good hatch rate but if they're shipped, you'd be lucky to get half hatched.Let me know what you think of the link.
Thank you for the information. I had not read this one before. It is very organized.......=)
 
so what should I be seeing for quail on the air sack? All that are showing life I see different size and a few are little to none.
 
so what should I be seeing for quail on the air sack? All that are showing life I see different size and a few are little to none.
Check out the pics of chicken candling and just size that down to quail. Should be in the article in my sig on hatching.
You can use the search on this site, maybe some one has put pics up of hatching quail air cells.
 
The link was an amazing help, it helped me with the ventilation part of incubation as well!
But, i have a problem! My day old duckling is ill, it lies still only breathing most of the time. It raises it's head and sometimes moves a little- which i hope is a good sign! But it isnt eating or drinking and while it's awake it constantly cheaps.
Help!
 
Give it some vitamin water, a tiny bit on the side of it's bill or sugar water to give it energy.
Post in emergencies if the problem persists. I haven't had ducklings in a long time so it would be best to ask either in the duck section or emergencies.
Got my fingers crossed for the baby.
 
Thank you for your help but even after giving the duckling some sugar water he died notlong after I posted! Sadly there's something wrong with another duckling too but he is still eating/drinking/getting around alright so fingers crossed!
 

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