Problems hatching serama eggs

Chickenaddict

Songster
11 Years
May 19, 2008
3,691
112
223
East Bethel MN
I have recently been trying to hatch out some chicks from my flock, this last time was attempt #2 after the first failed hatch of 9 eggs this time instead of using an incubator I used a broody hen and still got nothing out of 6 eggs! I candled on day 12,17,19 on day 19 they were still moving in the egg and I could hear crunching sounds like they were working on pipping. Day 22 I took them away and opened them up. All chicks were fully developed with no deformities and dead. Previously I had never had an issue with hatching them but why suddenly would I have none hatch especially under a broody? Has anyone else experienced a similar issue with their seramas? ANy advice on what could be going on here? The flock is happy and healthy and always has been. They get layer crumbles mixed with gamebird feed, oyster shells and grit free choice, scratch grains with black oil sunflower seeds, bread, fresh fruit and veggies for treats. They are mite free and were wormed in the spring. Another breeder from MN has been having the same problem along with a kid whom I sold chickens to, he can get the eggs he bought from me to hatch but not eggs from his own flock (which also came from me). Until I fugure out whats going on I can't sell any of these eggs and that really stinks
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I have heard that Seramas are hard to hatch. However if you were hatching them before without problem I do not know why you would suddenly encounter problems.
 
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At the time the 2 hens (sitting on 3 serama eggs a piece) were due to hatch the RH was really high here 66-70% and in the upper 90's,
The hens were in a brooder with a divider in it in the garage with the door half open. The one thing I did notice with both of them is they didn't pluck many of their belly feathers like most hens usually do, I had only seen a few here and there. However there were other eggs under those hens as well and all the others hatched just fine only the serama eggs didn't make it.
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Hi Rachel
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Thats what I am thinking is the humidity. It has been a pretty dry summer here so I think that may be the problem. The weather in the room may be too dry. You could actually try and run a humidifier in the room that you have the incubator. And open up the air hole plugs. I would be really interested in trying some of your beauty eggs too, now that I am settled in my new house.
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I only have 3 seramas left, and a handful of cochins and silkies and 1 BTW Japanese on the mend.
 
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I am wondering that myself, I had really good hatch rates with these before, maybe one or 2 wouldn't make it but at least 90% or better did every time.
 
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Thanks so much for your input Kris! Let me know when you would like to give them a go and I'll send you some, I owe you still you know
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I do limit their treats and the gamebird feed is 20% maybe I should try just feeding them that and not the layer crumble mix?
 

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