so far two are duds

[rita2paul]

8 days in and i have candled 12 eggs and two are duds, i think there might be another two that are a bit iffy. i am a bit gutted really.
now down to 10 could be 8 and they haven't hatched yet. just hope that there will not be to many boys. i am getting nervous now that i am going to lose more.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Are they shipped eggs?

 

[lazy gardener]

More details. What are you using for an incubator? Fan or still air? What is your hatching temp? Humidity goal? Source of eggs? Calibrated thermometers? How did you calibrate? What are you using for a thermometer? If you want more details about how to tweak your incubation to yield the best possible results, read "Hatching eggs 101 in the learning center. Wishing you the best. Don't remove it unless you are sure it's a dud. But, if you have any ?able ones in there, be sure to sniff them every day. Your nose will tell the story, even if you can't see into a very dark shell.

 

[rita2paul]

i have the Rcom 20 it's a great incubator i hatched many times in it with really good results. the eggs were posted and i let them rest as normal. but i have not calibrated it, how often do you calibrate your incubator. i have had the incubator about 7years

 

[SunHwaKwon]

I would not be too worried then. With shipped eggs you should hope for 50% to hatch.

I am 11 days in on six shipped eggs and tossed two today, but that is typical. I only paid for four so I am not too heartbroken.

One thing I do is I do not turn them for the first few days. Given that the RCOM20 places the eggs on their sides and rolls them (correct?), I probably would have opted to keep them upright in egg cartons and hand turn them, depending on the condition of the air cells.

 

[rita2paul]

thank you for your reply, i kept the eggs in the box fat end up for a day, i have now thrown another, the other all have veins so i have fingers all crossed that i don't get quitters now. i hatched quails last year and they were posted i only lost two eggs out of 18 eggs, was really pleased with that.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

IME the smaller eggs tend to handle shipping best.

What I was saying is even after resting I always incubate and hatch shipped eggs upright. If your membranes/air cells are loose, the rolling action can be detrimental and cause it to pull away.

I just tend to be extra cautious with shipped eggs since they are usually more pricey (I am at $7 per chick if they all hatch) and breeds that I really want.

 

[rita2paul]

yes i have heard some people will not turn eggs for 2or3 days if shipped, mine was next day delivery by post, but they still get a rough ride. i all ways get all my eggs posted and usually have a good result, but this time i am slightly disappointed so far.