What am I doing wrong?

[rancher hicks]

How about some tips on incubating. I know there are lots of posts but I don't have a good hatch. My First out of 13 eggs yielded 5, w/ one dieing before getting out. My second hatch out of more than 24 yielded 3 live one had to be culled cause its was crippled. One started to pip but never finished a completely developed chick. I am absolutely sure more were viable. I have been candleing the remainder only to see some never finished developing. Any reason for so many "quitters"?
Could it be to much turning by hand? Last time I turned 3 time a day. This time more.
Should I trust my hygrometer? betwn 40-50+.
Last time temp went over 100 this time a steady 100 but when the light was out it would dip two gradients below before it kicked back on. Go up to 100 and then dip again before it went on again.
Could the incu need new wafers. They do seem to have a bit of rust.
How have those of you who use a Hova bator 1602N faired in your hatches?
I did have the thermometer taped to a piece of cardboard this time, could that have thrown off the temp that much? Even though it said 100 and was sitting on the eggs like last time? Last time I had it sitting on the eggs just w/ it 's gradient strip.
Should the two vent holes be plugged during the hatch or not? Should one be plugged or not? Last time as I recall I had them both plugged, this time too.
Should I use two thermometers? Should I use two hygrometers? I have a $7 one from Walmart. Any brand you would recommend?

 

[keesmom]

I believe both vents should be open at hatch to provide as much air circulation as possible. In fact when I had my old LGs I never used the plugs, the vents remained open the whole time.

I'm not sure that's what's causing your problem but that's the only part I can help with.

 

[Paganbird]

Are you sure your thermometers are correct?
I use 3 - all calibrated.
Make sure your thermemoters & hygro are calibrated correctly.
I doubt it has anything to do with the hand turning... just make sure you wash your hands before touching the eggs.
Are you getting the 'bator cleaned & disinfected well between hatches?
My first suspects would be inconsistant temps, humidity, or air flow.
Next would be cleanliness.
Once you have ruled out those factors, you would have to consider things like genetic defects, handling, and fertility issues.

 

[Mahonri]

The best thing I ever did was do a dry hatch.

Humidity for days 1-18, 25%-35%
Lockdown 65% with occasional spikes as the chicks hatch.

Keep the temp between 99 and 100 degrees. (with a forced air bator)

 

[rancher hicks]

1. What does calibrated mean? how is this done?
2. Incu is washed and clean before hand.
3. I watch the temp a hundred times a day, alot.
4. Since these are pure breds and different breeds it's unlikely to be genetics. That and the eggs are from unrelated roo and hens.
5. I am using a "still air" incu.

My next hatch I will use two thermometers.
Again what brand of hygrometer do you use?

1-18 days 35-45 on the humidity? Then increase to 65? no plugs?

This incu has a wire screen floor is this a problem? Is there a part missing? It's a used incu I borrowed. I'm putting the eggs right on this wire flooring.

6. Instructions from the internet mention a plastic lining. What is this and where does it go?
The person who loaned me this incu didn't have one in the box. What does it look like? Can you post a pic? Is there something I can improvise? Instructions call this a "clear plastic liner for Hova-Bator bottom".
Should it be the same size as the wire floor?

My thermometer looks just like the "1825" shown in the instructions.

 

[Madcap621]

Forget the liner. Stop beating yourself up. 1st, install a fan -- computer fan w/adapter.[if I can do it ANYBODY can!!!] Replace wafer thermostat if you suspect it is wrong. Consider quto-turner [TSC - go on-line for $5 off coupon]. Stop beating yourself up. get some cheap eggs/free eggs and try again

WARNING!! hatching is addictive!! Good luck!

I went to PetSmart - reptile dept - and got thier thermom/Hygrom set. Calibrated wmed thermom and salt method.

 

[rancher hicks]

The tsc here only has a turner for the LG. I've seen the wafer at the Country max. Can you post pics of the fan set up?

 

[SteveH]

Maybe if you get a " bump " from somebody with no experience someone else can give you better advice .

Since your hatch rates went down with lower temps and you're useing a still air , maybe you need to raise the temp .

Some people use an egg carton to sit their eggs in over the wire bottom , then " turn " them by lifting the bator on one side or the other and putting a block under that side .

You can check a hygometer by following the instructions listed here : https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=285284

How long are you storing eggs before you incubate and under what conditions or temps ?

 

[IggiMom]

Hi Rancher Hicks. My husband was from Syracuse. That is where I met him, going to SU.

We are in West Virginia now, and I think that sometimes the proper humidity is partly depending upon where you live. That said, for me, when I was getting bad hatches with quitters and such, what changed it for me was when I started watching my humidity like a hawk.

I made sure that I had a good hygrometer, which I think I got from Eggcartons.com, but I wouldn't swear to it. It might have been from Brinsea.

Anyway, then I made sure I kept the humidity at between 50 and 60 percent, and during lockdown between 60 and 70 percent.

I guess my temperature was ok from the start.

That is what turned it around for me. Now I am just rabid about humidity.

Plus, I should say, I also did get some eggs from some really good people with really good eggs.

Catherine

 

[walkswithdog]

Do not PLUG the incubator for hatching. They NEED lots of oxygen to hatch properly. If you plug the vents and drive up the humidity, they suffocate and die trying to hatch. More air, not less. A fan is useful for air exchange, which is why it improves hatches, it helps eliminate hot/cold spots and keeps air fresh and moving. When in doubt, more air, less humidity.

I run two fans in my small mini-fridge bator. Several air holes. I'd rather pay a bit more for heating and have a high air exchange. I have had great hatches with it set up like that, so I'm going to keep doing it that way. There is a WHOLE huge discussion on humidity and ventilation in the Hatching Read ME threads. It's worth your time. More hatches suffocate from lack of oxygen and uber high humidity than any temp problems.