terrible hatch rates!

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missred871

missred871

Eggxhausted Momma
9 Years
May 5, 2010
1,846
21
149
Perry GA
Well, I am in for two hatches now... I have had a couple of problems with temp spikes, but what I am confused about is the fact that the babies will pip but for some reason die before hatching. WTH?! I had a dozen go into lock down last weekend, 3 had pipped early before I even got them to the hatcher. Then, I moved them all the the hatcher and I ended up with 5 pips all died. After doing some eggtopsies I found 6 more dead two of which made it to the air sac one of which died before lockdown and another that was actually still alive after i massaged it with my finger a few times, I did what I do with any other egg that ends up still being alive and wrapped it in a damp paper towel. (I only open the end of the egg) soooo why are they all dieing on me? What am I doing wrong? Keeping temps in the 99 degree range and humidity from 50-60. Please tell me I have a bator full and dont want this to happen again!
 
Not real sure.. First things that come to mind is a bacteria in the incubator.. Next is the chicks are drowning in the egg, Try hatching them in egg cartons with the big end up. Pheasants and chukar are a little different than chickens when it comes to hatching.

Make sure the adult birds are getting a high protein game bird feed, This also effects the chicks hatching ability..
 
Your temperature is fine but increase humidity so they don't shrink wrap in shell like they are doing. I keep mine at 100.0F & at lock-down increase to like 85% humidity. But, than again I'm in North Carolina with high humidity anyway....I use forced air incubation than I put in lockdown in my still air hatcher final last 3 days prior to hatch date. Always put eggs upright little end down, So they dont drown in egg. Good luck, VQB.
 
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THAT PRETTY MUCH DESCRIBES MY TECHNIQUE TOO... I ALLOW A LOWER HUMIDITY AT LOCKDOWN ANYTHING OVER 65% WORKS WELL FOR ME HERE. I ALWAYS HATCH IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION

FOR WHAT ITS WORTH--- PHEASANTS CAN BE A BOOGER TO HATCH
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Quote:
THAT PRETTY MUCH DESCRIBES MY TECHNIQUE TOO... I ALLOW A LOWER HUMIDITY AT LOCKDOWN ANYTHING OVER 65% WORKS WELL FOR ME HERE. I ALWAYS HATCH IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION

FOR WHAT ITS WORTH--- PHEASANTS CAN BE A BOOGER TO HATCH
hu.gif


Thanks guys, I know it isnt bacteria. I was thinking that the humidity may be an issue. So I will up it. I was using a forced air for incubation and a still air for hatching but the forced air (with us not having central heat and air) was fluxuating too much with temps, so i cut the fan off and it is holding MUCH better. So I will try hatching upright (which I havent done
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) and uping the humidity I have some going on lockdown in a week and a half or twp weeks, have to look at my hatching calender....
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well..... Thanks for the advice guys I will have to let you know if it worked. I am super bummed. I knew I shouldnt have ordered any stinkin melanistic eggs till I figured out whether i was gonna hatch em good or not. I only ended up with one out of 12 for them, but 7 went into the bator
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. So I will do as I said.... hopefully it will work.... fingers crossed
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Thanks for the word of encouragement JJ I was kinda hopin they were similar to quail.... guess not....
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Airflow may be an issue also.It this a styrofoam bator?These bators are horrible for pheasants,but great for quail.The fan is needed in these to keep the temps correct.Without the fan,the temps will change with the room temp.
In N.H.,Tony.
 
Quote:
I have had the opposite problem. With the fan I am having temp flux and without it I am having more success at keeping it stable. Also I should note I am using 2 thermometers one digi one regular. Doing well with the temperature now.... just gotta get the humidity up when I get home. Also, what do you all use to hold the eggs upright? I know you can use styro egg cartons for chickens and ducks but what about pheasant? I mean arent they too small for that? Thanks for the advice guys.
 

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