Someone please help me with Incubation.

[Dixie135]

Last year I hatched several hatching of chicks. This year I am having nothing but problems.My eggs hatch , but the chicks dont dry off and don't walk around and them die. Could someone please tell me what is going on.... I am using a hova-bator, my temp stays around 99 to 100 and humidity is 65 to 75. out of the last 42 eggs ,4 lived.Please any guidence would be appreciated.

 

[debilorrah]

Are you throughly santizing your bator after each hatch? There could be bacteria left in there.

 

[Katy]

Are you keeping your humidity that high all the way thru incubation? That is much too high if you are. I only run my humidity at about 60/65% for the last 3 days. It sounds like you're hatching "mushy" chicks which can be caused by too high of humidity.

 

[Shifty Joe]

I agree, to much humidity. Where are the eggs coming from? How many thermometer do you have, might need to get a second option on the temp.

 

[Dixie135]

First of all, the humidity is only that high the last 3 days. Second, yes I cleaned it good, this is only the second hatching in that incubator, it is new, I have 3 and they are all doing the same. The eggs are coming from my own Orpington Chicken that I have raised. This is the first year getting eggs from them. In this same hatching from this incubator I hatched 4 excellant Bantams..that are doing great...does anyone thinK I may be putting to many eggs in there...i am putting 42?

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Is it forced air or still air? Forced air should be around 99.5-100. Still air 101-102.