So disappointed in my "Hatch"

[colster10000]

some times its how u turn the eggs if it is a still air incubator try using an egg turner

 

[Yvonne37894]

Did your shipped eggs come in the new foam shippers ?

I hate the foam shippers, makes it easy for the shipper, but not for the one receiving them.

my marans eggs did not do well at all.

 

[chics in the sun]

Great. I've got 5 Marans in the bator now, too.

At least these bad hatches are keeping my chicken math under control.

 

[chics in the sun]

Oh wait - I've only got 3 in there now. One was a dud and one I broke by dropping the incubator lid on it. I must have blocked that from my concience for a minute there....

It had been developing, too.

 

[colebarnhart]

Quote:
I am no expert, and every place - location - is different for hatching/humidity; but seems to me your humidity was too high for days 1-18 and way high for lockdown. Your eggs might not have lost enough water in humidity that high. I run generally about 35% humidity days 1-18 and bump it up to 55% or so for lockdown.


With shipped eggs - I do NOT candle but for day 18 to pull the quitters and nondevelopers - shipped eggs are very fragile so I handle them as little as possible.

Thanks for the feedback. On my 2nd attempt I actually didn't mess with the humidity at all because I read a post about dry hatching and I think I averaged about 35% most of the 2nd time. I think problem is that I've read too much at this point, which only adds to the frustration! Because so many people have so many different ways that all work for "THEM", but not working for me, I suck at it!!! After spending $50 for the bator, $35 for the auto turner, $30 for fan & gauges, and then $60 for all the eggs, I should've just bought from a hatchery. Which is what I think I'll do from now on. "I tried my best and failed miserably, the lesson is.... never try" (quote from Homer Simpson). It's time to stick to what I'm good at and cut my losses.

Anyone want to buy a slightly used incubator with accessory items included???

 

[Saltysteele]

Quote:
you gave several reasons why your hatch could have went back. first, would be the decreased hatch rate of shipped eggs, compiled by the other factors.

i'd try some local eggs, like you said.


don't get me wrong, i'm not an expert, but don't give up when you may already know what you've done incorrectly. give it a shot with some better eggs, learning from the past

 

[San]

I am so sorry to hear. I had some trouble with hatching aswell, but that turned out to be a default on the incubator. This time it's going ok and 4 outta of 6 hatched, the last 2 are pipping. So please don't give up!

 

[BrahmaMama]

Thanks for the support everyone.

They were all packaged very well-each egg wrapped in bubble wrap, surrounded by more bubble wrap/packing peanuts etc. I didn't check the Marans eggs too close, for the fertilized spot, but none definitely developed. I haven't chucked the incubator yet; it's still sitting in my bathroom waiting to get cleaned out. I think I may give it another shot, but will definitely work on stabilizing temps, and get a hygrometer. I'm wondering if I should buy one of those wraps they make for the darn thing.

 

[Fritatta]

gosh that is so dissappointing. I'm so sorry.

Any way you can keep a broody and let her do the work? She would be an EXPERT.
I understand silkies and Buff Orps are good broodies (I can attest to the Orp being a wonderful mom). I think they also raise smarter chicks. And it is so much fun to see the little family and the mothers instincts.
On the downside, you wont be able to bond as closely with chicks who have a hen.

 

[crawfordmama]

I'm sorry about your hatch. I just unplugged my incubator after my first hatch. Six eggs hatched out of 14. I've had several crazy temp spikes, problems with humidity, and I just had to cull a chick (first time ever

). I've got a bit of a sour taste in my mouth, and frankly, I can't understand the hatching addiction. There are so many things to watch out for and so many things that can go wrong. I've noted all of the problems I had, and how I think I can fix them. I'm apprehensive about incubating again, but it's sort of a challenge now of how I can be better next time. After all this I'm left with 5 beautiful babies, all of which I'm grateful for. If incubating makes you happy, please keep trying.