Somebody bring me back to reality....

[underground chickenman]

I am a first time hatcher and set 100 coturnix 9 days ago. I have candled 10 on day 4 and found one dud, and candled 10 others on day 8 and only found one more dud. Assuming a fairly even distribution, statistically I am looking at a 90% fertility rate. What is the average drop off in actual hatched eggs from this point? Is it common for embryos that are clearly growing through 9 days to die between now and the hatch, or am I looking pretty good for hatching out about 90 chicks?

Thanks for your comments.

UGCM

 

[First To Hatch]

Theres still a big chance that some will die, anything can go wrong and humidity has to be perfect in my experience, you might run into a couple that will pip and then die. I'd say you might get a 70% hatch rate.

 

[underground chickenman]

Thanks for the feedback. I'd be happy with 70%. I'll know in a week.

UGCM

 

[jenjscott]

good luck with your hatch

 

[First To Hatch]

What day are we on now?

 

[underground chickenman]

Day 17 and I am up to 65 chicks and several pips in the remaining eggs. Anything over 70% is gravy at this point. No casualties, but one spraddle-legged chick that I have taped up for now. I will give it a day or two to see if it can get its legs under him.

UGCM

 

[lockedhearts]

I sent 54 of my eggs to a friend to hatch for me, he added 15 of his (also for me) so that was 69. 57 made it to the hatcher and as of this morning I had 53 chicks running around his brooder that I am picking up tomorrow. I only use a still air styro bator right now but have had 10% hatches to 100% hatches. These eggs were not shipped so the hatch rate was awesome, but some of the eggs were pushing 2 weeks old. If your eggs were shipped having the hatch rate you already have is awesome, if not shipped it is still very acceptable!