Trouble hatching peas - why?

[stacir]

I have been hatching peas for a few years now and the last couple of years has't been successful and I can't figure out why. I have two Lehy redwood cabinet incubators that are very stable. I incubate at 99 and 50% humidity and hatch at 98 and 70%. I am turning several times a day.

I have not trouble hatching chickens, turkeys or guineas, but my peafowl eggs have been challenging. I did manage to hatch 3 but they had to helped. My last batch for a friend was 7 eggs. 5 didn't develop, looked like only 7-10 days. Very small embryo in egg when cracked open. The other two developed, one hatched on it's own and the other died before I could help it out. I also had three eggs of my own. Two developed and I finally tried to help them out, but they died as well. It seems they are able to pip internally but not through the outer shell?

Any advice?

 

[frenchblackcopper]

You are now in the most difficult part of pea raising,and that's hatching them. Been there-done that. I've been reading all over the internet where fertility stinks this year. You cannot compare chickens or turkeys or guineas to peafowl eggs,,diffrent arena with these.

 

[AugeredIn]

I would try a higher incubating and hatching temperature.

 

[casportpony]

Is the Lehy redwood cabinet incubator still air or forced air? Not an expert, but I think still air requires a temp of 102-103, but don't quote me on that.

-Kathy

 

[stacir]

Thanks for the replies. Its forced air and has a fan. I had a hen hatch a chick so thinking I must be doing something wrong. Aarrgg!

 

[casportpony]

Thanks for the replies. Its forced air and has a fan. I had a hen hatch a chick so thinking I must be doing something wrong. Aarrgg!

I have horrible luck with incubators, too.

-Kathy

 

[KsKingBee]

Once I gave up and started putting the eggs under broody hens the incubator started working.

 

[stacir]

I have 7 in the incubator now. The air sacks all look too large, maybe the humidity wasn't high enough? I can see some movement, so must be some inner pipping, and hear some pecking……stressing me out big time. Hatch day isn't until Saturday. But I don't want to lose them either… not sure if I should help or wait…..

 

[frenchblackcopper]

Air sack gives the chick enough air for about a day. If you intervene before the chick is ready you risk blood loss from the inner membrane that has not been taken in by the peachick. You do want to make notations of what time the egg does get pipped. After this happens if no progress is made in 24 hrs,then it maybe time to chip some shell away.

 

[casportpony]

Most of mine hatch in 26-27 days, so maybe that's what you're seeing? This is about chickens, but I found some useful info in it:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching

Note that I am not suggesting that you assist, just that you read the link.

-Kathy