Same Situation-More Dead Chickens

[sdm111]

Last year I hatched two chickens. The rest didn't make it. The membrane was the problem. There isn't a vitamin deficiency, we made sure we feed bread and eggs.

This year, so far, 5 chicks didn't make it. Fully developed, but it's the membrane! Cracked them open, gorgeous little babies(4 black babies and 1 golden). The membrane was thick, and I had to use my nails to open it up. 5 or 6 eggs are left. Some are due today, a few are due in a couple of days.

I'm so upset! I don't know if it's the incubator, or us! We used the same incubator, Little Giant 9300 Still Air. Humidity is around 43-50% during first part, 63-70% through the last few days. Temperature is around 101-102.

your humidity is too high during incubation. It should be half that 22 - 25%ish. The chicks are growing too big in the Shell due to too much humidity and dying because they can't turn to pip and zip. Research dry incubation method. Especially important with still air

 

[21hens-incharge]

I did not buy it. No way would I buy feed more then three weeks past mill date.

I spoke with the store manager about the old feed and why it needed to be removed.
Of course I did not feel it would be.
I also spoke with the regional rep for that feed company. They paid the store a visit.

I see! Does it say the date where it was shipped or made?

On the sewn on seam on the bottom of the bag the milling date is printed.
You would want to have it used up by 6 weeks past that date.

I have fed feather fixer. I did not note any difference in speed of feather growth from the year before.