The Middle Tennessee Thread

[FeyRaine]

I don't think I would keep hatching if I only got 50% most of the time.


A digital thermostat is TOTALLY different than the thermometers. I have those in there too. The thermostat will keep the temps correct. Mine has a mark that I SET to turn on when it gets to that low temp it comes on. Same way when it get to the right temp it goes off. My bator only swings about .5 to 1 degree EVER. Also what is your humidity and did you calibrate your hygrometer? Both are critical to good hatches.

Sorry, I mis read, now I see what you are saying.

We do need to upgrade the temp control ! Basically we've been using the dimmer switch and literally fine tuning it manually 24/7 but obviously that isn't even keeping it steady enough.

I'm going to try the LG on loan and see the results if it is better then I know it isn't my house, then I can try to build a better bator, or buy one. Right now there are so many variables including diff. eggs from diff. sources.

I did just candle the remaining eggs which are staggered hatch due sat (1 wk after the others) so 1/1 chicken & 5/6 duck , the chicken too dark to see, but the duck all had movement.
So to me it is really odd that 10 eggs died at or very near hatch, while 5 duck eggs remain alive - that does not seam to me to be just temps. but I'm certainly a newbie on incubating.

 

[FeyRaine]

I'm up watching the storm front on Radar. I hope everyone and their chickens are & remains safe!

 

[DMRippy]

You can drown chicks if the humidity is not right. Water will accumulate in the air cell and when they pip it can kill them. Also they can't hatch if they don't evaporate enough. You really need to check the humidity. I don't let mine get over 35%... 30% is my goal. At lockdown I just get the humidity as high as I can and when they start hatching it will raise on its own after that.

 

[FeyRaine]

This time I had the humidity for a little higher, b/c I thought dryness was the problem NYDH

I also drew the air cell lines on the eggs day 7, 10, & 17 and they looked exactly correct to drawing I saw here.

Humidity Part I Lockdown resulting hatch live chicks

NYDH 18-25% 55-60% (had a real hard time, underestimated what was needed 1st go round) 2/23

This Time 25-35% 60-78% 1/11

I opened all the dead eggs, the air cells were all large & dry, w/ intact membranes separating them from the main egg
holding fluid & chicks w/ no internal pips.
2 of those could have piped, the rest were the wrong way, ie butt end toward aircell, but those were not too tight to have rotated.

I'm really puzzled b/c they all looked like they should have been fine, so much I could hardly believe they weren't alive, but they were not.

 

[DMRippy]

This time I had the humidity for a little higher, b/c I thought dryness was the problem NYDH

I also drew the air cell lines on the eggs day 7, 10, & 17 and they looked exactly correct to drawing I saw here.

Humidity Part I Lockdown resulting hatch live chicks

NYDH 18-25% 55-60% (had a real hard time, underestimated what was needed 1st go round) 2/23

This Time 25-35% 60-78% 1/11

I opened all the dead eggs, the air cells were all large & dry, w/ intact membranes separating them from the main egg
holding fluid & chicks w/ no internal pips.
2 of those could have piped, the rest were the wrong way, ie butt end toward aircell, but those were not too tight to have rotated.

I'm really puzzled b/c they all looked like they should have been fine, so much I could hardly believe they weren't alive, but they were not.

Did you calibrate they hygrometer? Do you KNOW it is accurate? Mine is off by 5%.... if it says 35% it is really 40%

 

[FeyRaine]

Did you calibrate they hygrometer? Do you KNOW it is accurate? Mine is off by 5%.... if it says 35% it is really 40%

no I will do that prior to using the LG.

 

[DMRippy]

Ventilation..... how are you ventilating it? IDK... that is odd.

Kathyinmo had some hatchability articles I can't find them.

 

[DMRippy]

OMG that was the scariest storm in a long time. This house made noises no house should make. PRAYED all the way down the stairs. Trees are down all around us.

I bet I don't get any eggs tomorrow LOL.

STAY SAFE EVERYONE!

 

[StacyTN]

OMG that was the scariest storm in a long time. This house made noises no house should make. PRAYED all the way down the stairs. Trees are down all around us.

I bet I don't get any eggs tomorrow LOL.

STAY SAFE EVERYONE!

Now I'm worried! Winds picking up here but they say the plateau may lessen the storm a little. I hope it's a lot "a little"!!!!!!!

 

[chickenlover478]

Thanks so much guys for replying!A lot of rain and wind here in Arrington but no tornados.I tried looking on the top right corner and my profile tab did not come up.Does anybody know about a good article on how to make a coolerbator?Also does anybody know how much they cost?Thanks so much guys for helping me!