what am I doing wrong?

[purplepoen]

I keep trying to hatch barred rock eggs, but they stop growing after a while. I can see veins while candling but they all just keep dying. I know the 'bator is staying the right temp all the time. It's a styrofoam still air incubator and I put in about 5 eggs at a time. Any ideas about what I keep doing to mess them up?

 

[silkiechicken]

How do you know they are dying? Do you crack them open on day 24 to see when they are dying via developmental stage? That may help figure out what is wrong. Usually, the less attention they get, the better hatch. Also check the thermometer for accuracy and humidity for accuracy.

 

[purplepoen]

Well, they stop growing so I crack the egg open and it's just veins and the heart. (one time the brain had started) I cracked them on day 25 I think because I thought they would be hatching on day 21 and I couldn't see anything. What am I supposed to be doing with the humidity? I just kept water in the bottom like the instructions say. I chacked the thermometer, and it's fine.

 

[mark3208]

this is the best advice i can give you,if you think it is necessary to candle them do it ONCE,at 10 to 12 days ,and then LEAVE them alone! too much moisture is worse than too little. i dont even put water in my incubator untill they are 2 to 3 days from hatching.I live in ohio where there is always some humidity in the air.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Handle them as little as possible, turn three times a day (preferably in the egg carton to prevent contamination), scrub your hands well before you even touch your incubator. I agree with only candling once or twice.

Put little to no water in the bator for the first 18 days, then add water per the instructions. It wouldn't be a bad idea to use boiled sterile water to add to the bator.

Also, MAKE SURE you have plenty of ventilation...that none of the ventilation holes are plugged. I think ventilation and bacterial contamination are the 2 main culprits for early embryonic death.