"Springing in the Chicks" 2016 April Hatch-a-Long Hosted by Mike & Sally

Hi! I am hatching a batch of chicken eggs this April, due next week on Tuesday/Wednesday!!! I'm excited but also nervous since I haven't incubated since I was a kid, and because I've already gotten 5 early quitters. Ugh, it's the worst. I'm sure it's something I did improperly. Was it the hand sanitizer I used before candling? Was the incubator dirty (i did wash it)? Did I jostle them too much? Tomorrow will be eggtopsy day, hope I can figure out what happened. (And that they were all roosters, so I don't feel as bad. right?)

Anyone would want to weigh in on their day 18 and lockdown protocols for a still-air HovaBator 1620? I've found so much great info here on BYC, but I want to make sure I've got great hatching conditions since now my last few babies are seeming precious... Links, personal experience, etc. I'd love to hear it!

Wish me luck!
 
It's a hovabator with the digital read out just got it this February I quess I can't trust there read outs and I will have to put a thermostat inside for my next hatch

This is exactly what happened to me, only mine ran too cool. It is so tempting to trust the included digital thermometer, but it is good to double check it with another.
 
FIRST CHICKS EVER! Please let more hatch. Please let more hatch!!! Since my first hatch was a total fail, I'd be happy if these were the only two chicks though.

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Last check before bed. Four pips. Pic so I can remember what eggs were in there if they all hatch overnight.
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Come on chickies
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well...my first hatch ever in a new untested incubator...
I set 30 eggs and hatched 14barring any that decide to pip overnight.
I eggtopsied a few...seems they passed day 17/18 as they were just about fully formed but had not absorbed yolk...and they were shrinkwrapped meaning I had a humidity proble. some drowned others were shrinkwrapped???
I now know what to concentrate on...what a learning experience.
Anna
What was your day 1-18 humidity? Is your hygrometer calibrated? Did you have any swings in humidity?

Hi! I am hatching a batch of chicken eggs this April, due next week on Tuesday/Wednesday!!! I'm excited but also nervous since I haven't incubated since I was a kid, and because I've already gotten 5 early quitters. Ugh, it's the worst. I'm sure it's something I did improperly. Was it the hand sanitizer I used before candling? Was the incubator dirty (i did wash it)? Did I jostle them too much? Tomorrow will be eggtopsy day, hope I can figure out what happened. (And that they were all roosters, so I don't feel as bad. right?)

Anyone would want to weigh in on their day 18 and lockdown protocols for a still-air HovaBator 1620? I've found so much great info here on BYC, but I want to make sure I've got great hatching conditions since now my last few babies are seeming precious... Links, personal experience, etc. I'd love to hear it!

Wish me luck!
Welcome and best of luck.
 

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