Unsuccessful hatch what did i do wrong?

[jasonslater]

Have been unsuccessful again. This is my second attempt out of 9 eggs only one pipped and that was 2 days late. Its is weak and seems to be struggling to get to its feet. Its been 12 hour now and it has fluffed up. Not sure if its legs are ok. In my first hatch i helped some when they were 2 days late and only two pipped on there own. Neither of the 4 got mobile just laid there struggling to move and breathing was labored. I have been trying to give water but not sure if it is helping.

During the incubation period they were kept between 37 and 38 degrees, using a thermostat. And the humidity kept at around 52% although in this last batch i reduced it to less than 30% at day 14 as the air sac was not developing. However, at this point the embros seemed to be smaller then they should be.

Any suggestions why its not working for me.

 

[Sjisty]

Hi Jason -

I know it's heartbreaking to have an unsuccessful hatch. Being that your chick pipped two days late, my first guess would be the temperature is too low. Maybe your incubator isn't holding the temperature in, or it could be your thermostat is off a little bit. Try putting in a separate thermometer the next time so you can monitor it better. Also, keep the humidity lower then 40% until lockdown. I find the lower humidities in the earlier days greatly increased my hatch rate and decreased weak chicks, splay legs, etc.

Don't try to force the new baby to drink for the first day or two. The water will just go down the wrong way and into its lungs. When it is stronger and able to stand, then give it access to water and food.

Good luck!

 

[groundpecker]

There are many reasons a hatch could fail. Bad genetics, unstable temp, shipping and handling, incorrect humidity, low fertility to name a few. Keep trying to hatch those eggs! The reward of seeing those chicks hatch is very pleasing when you get it right. Even the most experienced have bad hatches now and then. Keep trying and try to watch the process more carefully.

 

[greenpeeps]

Jason, I'm on my third hatch with a homemade incubator and only have two chicks in the coop so far. I'm learning tons of new information with each incubation. If you post some pictures of your set up and details on how the eggs were sitting, I'm sure you could get some more helpful hits from others. I know I have

 

[Wyogirl]

Yes I agree! I have a total of 11 (of various ages) that I have hatched out of 100++++++ eggs that i have attempted to incubate. The last batch I hatched 4 Lav Orps which had been the best ever!!! My humidity was kept between 35-45 and of course lockdwon 55-65. I tried the 30-35 humidity but for me it was to dry. so just keep practicing and use the numbers as guidelines to see what works with your particular set-up.
I used a hmoemade incubator and also have a Brinsea Oct 20, and my homemade one was the one that hatched the 4 eggs!.
Good LUck and do post pics of your setup.
Ayda

 

[cmom]

Quote:
I agree, it seems to be a temperature issue. I also keep the humidity around 35% to 40% during incubation and on day 18 when I set the eggs for hatching I raise the humidity to around 65% to 75%. I have nearly 100% hatches. All of the eggs from my last hatch hatched and the hatch before I had one egg that didn't hatch but I didn't expect it to as the development was way behind the other eggs.

 

[mstricer]

Quote:
.
Most thermometers have a switch, for celeius and farenhiet see if you have it on the right one. To me it seems like your temp is too low. Your humidity should be between 35 and 45 for the first 18 days and bumped up to 65 - 70 for the last 18 days.

 

[reereechickens]

So sorry, I know how bad that sucks! Have you calibrated your thermometers and hygrometer? You can google that. I think some digital thermometers cannot be calibrated by the ice water method, look for a glass one. I have tried all kinds of hygrometers and so far this is the best one recommended by cmom

http://www.eggcartons.com/New-Design-Incubator-Hygrometer/productinfo/FHP-HYGRO/

I use bottled water in my incubator, clean my incubator with equal parts hydrogen peroxide and vinegar and add alittle bottled water to that, clean my mason jar with fish gravel in my incubator several times through out the incubation with the vinegar and peroxide rinse and put new bottle water in, wash your hands if you hand turn, I lay my eggs on their sides, I took out my wire floor and use Insul-Brite Mylar batting that you can find in fabric stores or online just cut it the size of your floor put it in shiny side up it can be rewashed and reused and its breathable, and I started marking my aircells and marking on day 17 or 18 what the hatching position is, this info is found on BYC member pete55 on his BYC page he has links for ALOT of incubation and hatching info.

Insul-Bright link
http://www.fabric.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=1ae34ff5-340c-4a7b-91ac-820e2303a6c7&CategoryID=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&cm_vc=756b1813-cbc1-43b3-84bd-29889bf8fb7b

pete55 info
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=80310

 

[cmom]

Quote:
I tested the calibration on this hygrometer and it was right on. I do test mine and some do vary a little + or - but not his one.

 

[jasonslater]

This is my homemade incubator. It is a still air setup. I have 2 hole on the front at the top at 10mm each. I also leave the front open slightly to regulate humidity and give extra air. i open the front 5 times a day to turn the eggs. As you can see i have a turning rack so it takes a breif moment to turn. I have a small dish with water in it is about 10mm diameter and i seem to top up every couple of days.