Ready to give up! What am I doing wrong?!

[cassie0980]

This is the first spring I've tried incubating, and I must admit I'm feeling incredibly discourage and am ready to give up. I thought the problem was with shipped eggs, so I tried picking up some local eggs. It seems that IF they hatch, it's always on day 24 or 25, but most of them die long before that. I think I'm cursed and doomed to never have a good hatch. What can I do to improve the process?

 

[ChooksChick]

I've never incubated, but have read many threads...

That being said, I distinctly think I remember folks saying if they hatch late it's a temp issue- perhaps get two new thermometers and make certain they agree, and make sure the incubator is set correctly and holds the right temp for a week EMPTY before you load it up. Then you know it's stable.

 

[worldwidechick]

Cassie, it has to be your incubator. If they hatch that late, your temps must be running too low. I firmly believe in spending the money to get a better bator. The Genesis 1588 is a great, but still cheap way to go. It is not perfect, but holds temps so much better than the wafer bators I've owned in the past. I don't even worry about the humidity as I live in a very humid state. I just up it a bit for hatch.

What turned things around for me: Genesis with an auto turner, add water when set up, hatch a batch of cheap eggs, 42 of course to keep the eggs more stable, and not touch it for 18 days. At day 18, candle eggs and add hot water to the bottom, put eggs in cartons and put lid on with a sign that says (to reminde me mostly) DO NOT OPEN. Watch thru the nice large window, and pips on day 20 or 21. Hatches out 50% shipped eggs most of the time if eggs are good, and about 90% of fertile local eggs. I don't count the not fertile eggs in the local ones for hatch rates. Don't give up, it is a science and takes several hatches to fine tune it. Keep up your research on here, but the bator is the biggest issue I am sure. Keep it in a temp stable room, ours is in the basement, and you should have better luck.

I remember the frustration, best of luck.

 

[cassie0980]

I've read that anywhere from 99.5 to 102.5 is a good temp, and my humidity is difficult to control below 50%. I should be trying for 30-40% during incubation, right? Then up to 50-60% for hatch? This is sooo frustrating!

I have eggs that were due to hatch yesterday, and have yet to see pips or hear anything. I'm tempted to help them out, but I know it's too early. I'm losing hope that they'll hatch at all.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

If they are chicken eggs and hatching that late your temp is to low. Ours normaly pip and hatch on day 20 to 21.

Best thing to do is get an accurate thermometer. A hygrometer is also very usefull but not 100% needed. (Please don't beat me up to bad on saying that - with alot of the smaller 'bators it's very hard to adjust the humidity, when we had a hovabator is was "keep the big trough full when incubating and add water to another when hatching" )

Once you have the temp set and put your eggs in leave it closed until stop turning day.

Make a post here with what 'bator you are using and ask other people with the same model how they have theirs set up and what works. Once you get the hang of it you will be knee deep in chicks in no time - don't give up.

Steve in NC

 

[cassie0980]

My Mother's Day present was a Little Giant still air incubator with an automatic turner, standard TSC stock. The thermometers were always in a good range and never spiked or dropped drastically. The humidity usually runs between 40-50%. I just don't get it.

For the overdue eggs, should I turn up the temp a bit? Is it too, little too late? How likely is it that they'll hatch at all? I can't afford to buy more eggs to try again. I'm REALLY bummed.

 

[CallyB57]

Oh no - I am never going to hatch eggs - the hens will have to do it!

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

turning the temp up at this stage wouldn't do anything, I've never had a still air so don't quote me but I thought they should run warmer 101F or something like that? To get more answers why don't start a thread - "Little Giant incubator need help with settings" or something. That way hopefully people that use them will see it and jump in.

Wish I could be of more help - take a road trip to NC and I'll fill your 'bator for you

Steve

 

[ChooksChick]

Certainly there must be folks on BYC near you who would help you fill your LG!

I'd send you some, but mine would be all mutt eggs.

 

[cassie0980]

Right about now, I'd be happy with anything. I was really hoping for a hatch on my birthday, but alas...perhaps another time.