So frustrated! And ready to give up. :-(

[NoVA Chicks]

So, I started my fourth hatch last Wednesday. Candled today (Day 7) and not a vein in site. My first hatch was only three eggs--one grew and I knocked it out of the incubator and killed it on like day 14. Second hatch were all duds. Third hatch started with 14 eggs, 7 developed and none hatched. Two were fully formed and at least one tried to pip, but I think I had a humidity problem. This batch is from hinkjc, so I feel pretty confident in their fertility. It has to be something I'm doing or something with my setup. I've struggled with keeping my humidity up--it likes to sit around 30-40%. I've got three thermometers in there which all read between 99-101. The incubator is a little giant still air. I was going to attach a fan but couldn't find one that would fit before these eggs arrived.

Should I get a clue and just give up? I feel like I'm banging my head against the wall.

 

[TerriLaChicks]

I'm sure no expert, but from my experience I'd say leave everything alone right now & ride it out through the end of the egg cycle. Because I killed 2 hatches from not knowing that -- shipped eggs have irregular egg cells that look nothing like the pics you see, so I know I killed off a bunch of babies that could've hatched--& the eggs can survive a lot more than you think they can--& what you 'think' you see when candling is not necessarily what's going on inside those shells--I learned this---if it makes it to day 18, unless I smell something bad--it stays in my bator.
Because those shipped eggs have weird egg cells--but that doesn't mean they don't have lives inside--even if you can't see them or candle them. Let them be. Do not candle them every day--the less you disturb them, the better -- if your temps & humidity are within range, than leave them be!
edit: btw I never had any luck candling that early---candle at about day 12 or 14 - leave them alone until then.

 

[ThePamperedPullet]

Were the eggs ordered through the mail? If so, they probably got scrambled as is the case most of the time. Especially if at day 7 and you have no veins.

 

[scbatz33]

It's the LG. They are so unreliable. I was having horrible luck with mine and when the temp went haywire and killed by cooking a dozen polish chicks, I got rid of it. I have a 1588 with a fan and it is wonderful. As long as I don't open the lid from day 18 on, I have really nice healthy hatches. If I open the lid, I usually have a couple who have to be helped out.

Considering how much I was spending on shipped eggs, it only made sense to buy a better incubator. At bare minimum, you need a fan. Also, to bump up humidity, I'll add a hot sopping wet wash cloth.

 

[Mahonri]

Hang in there. Don't give up yet. I hope you get some beautiful chicks this time...she has some very beautiful birds.

 

[Eggzactly]

Im not an Expert but dont give up.You might just have to play around and see what works for you..

 

[scbatz33]

Oh, hey, I forgot to mention get an egg turner if you don't have one. That will help keep the humidity and temp level. all that opening to turn daily really can mess up things - especially in the LG. You can get one at TSC for like $30 or something.....well worth it!

 

[usschicago1]

Hinles got some of the best eggs so it must be from the incubator.We hatched some from them in April and some are due friday... Got any broody hens?

 

[zatsdeb]

are you using an automatic turner or turning yourself? I was having trouble with hatches lately and found that my turner wasn't working. I put my incubator my master bathroom, and turned the eggs by hand before I went to bed, and when I got up in the morning, that was it. I have had almost perfect hatches, 3 in a row with the same incubator!
also I waited to candle until after 10 days, and then I leave them alone, unless I am turning them. also keeping the humidity at about 50% and bumping it on day 18 to about 80% has worked for me.
good luck, maybe you will be ok. maybe your eggs were not fertile before?

 

[cbiblis]

Quote:
I hate to be indifferent but what egg turning does is keep the yoke mobile. With out it the yoke will actually stick to the side of the shell. But an egg turner would be better anyhow.

When it comes to your hatch rate, it sounds like a temp issue. Humidity plays a major part after 10 days but before then i don't think it matters. Eggs have liquid to start with. if your not seeing anything at day 7 then it's temperature. Or your bator is absolutely terrible when it come to hysteresis. Meaning that the temp fluctuates way to much. That's the problem with non-digital thermometers and thermostats.