I use the cheapo bators, and have great hatches now. I would never post this on a hatch a long thread! I will post some things that I know have helped me in the past, but I am also one not to worry about lock down so much. I do get my humidity up, but I don't mind opening the bator the whole time chicks are hatching, which could be as soon as day 18. In fact, I am usually still opening the bator on day 19 to get the humidity to where I want it.
And, I have learned that assisting, is one of the best things to learn how to do! Won't get into it here, but I am getting 80 to 90 percent hatch rates now, with shipped eggs..that ARE fertile. Can't hatch an infertile egg, and you would be surprised at how many come looking infertile. Or, the air sac is a gonner. So, I go by how many I get started as to how my hatch goes. I have 9 eggs start? And, I get 8 babies. Not bad coming from 12 eggs that were shipped. Yes, some will at times have to be thrown out because of a blood ring here and there, or a quitter here and there, but rarely. Serious! Now watch, my hatch a long will be bad..I didn't say that out loud, I just typed it.
And, I have learned that assisting, is one of the best things to learn how to do! Won't get into it here, but I am getting 80 to 90 percent hatch rates now, with shipped eggs..that ARE fertile. Can't hatch an infertile egg, and you would be surprised at how many come looking infertile. Or, the air sac is a gonner. So, I go by how many I get started as to how my hatch goes. I have 9 eggs start? And, I get 8 babies. Not bad coming from 12 eggs that were shipped. Yes, some will at times have to be thrown out because of a blood ring here and there, or a quitter here and there, but rarely. Serious! Now watch, my hatch a long will be bad..I didn't say that out loud, I just typed it.
