What am I doing wrong?

[TerriLaChicks]

I have a Hovnabator 1602N & my hatch rate improved drastically after I put in an auto-turner & fan. I think these styrofoam bators are a lot more "finicky" to maintain steady temps & humidity and the less you have to open them the better. I leave all of the plugs out.

I have 42 eggs set right now & everything seems to be going smoothly so far (knocking on wood; hatch due on the 19th). I'll know more after I candle them next week.
My thermometer/hygrometer--I'm at work & dont' remember the name but it's the silver one you can get at Walmart.

edited to add: I keep the temps between 99 and 100-101. I don't stress about the humidity--but, I am in Louisiana where it is naturally humid anyway--I keep my humidity low - 30s to 40 & bump to 60 when I go into lockdown on Day 18.

 

[rancher hicks]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I keep trying and take the advice. I have candled the eggs that didn't hatch and many started and quit so clearly it's something I'm doing wrong. I will keep the plugs out and perhaps order a turner (money's tight) or try the carton method. I just wonder how to keep the water in the trough? You'll hear from me.
Oh and I collected the eggs and did not have them more than a week. I'm only selecting the Dels and the darkest marans, which is one a day. I have them sitting on the counter in a paper carton. House temp is cool but not cold.

 

[CountryMom]

Last year I finally invested in a Genesis hovabator. What a world of difference really. I had two of the 1602N and had mixed results on hatches. Even poorer results on shipped eggs. My first batch in the Genesis was shipped eggs and I had a 70% hatch rate which was better than any of my others.....including eggs from our flock. The only things that did well in the 1602n was the quail eggs. I think you can hatch those in about anything. Anyhow, I now use the old bators for hatching and the Genesis for incubating. I have 2 turners and both chicken and quail racks for them. I am thinking if things go well this year of either investing in another Genesis or buying a used Sportsmen. I also keep my humidity in the 60's for the hatching. I tried the 80% thing and ended up with more pips and no hatches than anything. Dry hatching works best for me.

edited to add a link to the Genesis offered at Cutler Supply

http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_24_28&products_id=213

 

[rancher hicks]

Thanks if I keep this up I'll have to buy a bator as this 1602n is borrowed. If I buy I might as well get the best I can afford. Anyone bought of the net used?

 

[Keri78]

I'm looking at bators right now...but the more I read about hatching the more I'm thinking...Silky Hen!!!!

 

[CountryMom]

Quote:
We have those also. Last time they hatched two of the hens stepped on some of the eggs wrong I guess and crushed a couple.

I ended up taking most of them away and finishing them out in the bator.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Since you are candling and seem to know when things go wrong, this link may help you.

Mississippi State Incubation Troubleshooting
http://www.poultry.msstate.edu/extension/pdf/troubleshooting_incubation.pdf

 

[TerriLaChicks]

For your water in the trough question--run a piece of aquarium tubing through one of the vent holes & use a syringe to shoot water into the channels. I don't worry about which channel it goes in, as long as it gets in there (I hope that made sense).

Before I got the 1602, I had a homemade incubator & my husband wired 2 egg cartons to a length of PVC pipe which ran through 2 holes he made on each side of the bator (it was a styrofoam ice chest) and I was able to turn the eggs that way without opening the carton. I didn't have good hatches with that homemade incubator because I couldn't get my temps right and then got the 1602 & a turner instead.

 

[rancher hicks]

Well I do know that some at least were viable cause when I empty the incu there were at least two or three that had started to pip but died before getting out. I don't recall hearing the peep so I dont' know when they started to pip. I've washed the incu and cleaned the top w/ and alchohol wipe down. I'll let it sit overnight. The bottom and wire and windows I wash w/ a bleach solution.
I'll purchase a new hygrometer and thermometer and use two. I'll keep both vent holes open from start to finish. Hum between 35-45 til day 18. I understand I don't need the plastic liner is that right? (I don't have one anyhow). I don't want to purchase my own incu if I can't get at least a 50% hatch. I will do less eggs too, no more than 12-13.

I do have a broody but she's a first timer and I don't know how she'll do, but I prefer them.
I will say the two chicks I do have are the quietest I've ever had. Then again my wife says they quiet down when I'm in the room.