problems with banty hatch rate

[britsngrits]

I have not had much luck with the banty eggs hatching. I have had two chicks completely form then die prior to hatching. I have only had 3 banty chicks out of about 16 eggs actually make it. I don't know why because the standard eggs have about a 98% hatch rate. The last one that didn't make it, I could hear it chirping in the egg and it never hatched... it just got more and more quiet. I now have another one that I can hear chirping but there are NO cracks in the egg yet. I really want to let nature take it's course but I know I will get no sleep tonight worrying about this chick. Suggestions? I do NOT want to let another one die slowly in the egg.

 

[debilorrah]

What is your humidity?

 

[britsngrits]

I've no clue. This one was sitting under a hen. I had to start tapping the shell every day to see who is ready to hatch then move them into the incubator as I had a problem with some bad hens killing the chicks and no way to keep them away from the 2 broody hens. So..... as soon as I hear them chirp in the shell I transfer them into the incubator. The trays are full of water.... It's a little giant still air. I'm not sure how much that has to do with it if the standard size chicks hatch like crazy... just seems to be a problem with the banties not making it out of the egg.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
You need a hygrometer especially with the LG as they are the red headed step children of the bator world. Also, the bator needs to be in a room that has consistent temps and does not have doors opening and closing all the time.