What did I do wrong? Hatching too early!

[kelly52862]

I was out of town for 6 days, returning on September 18th. I gathered the 50 eggs and decided to try my new incubator. They were due for lockdown on October 6th, hatch on the 9th.

So far 4 hatched Monday (I pulled the turner at that time), 2 yesterday and 3 more are hatching this morning. They seem healthy, but very early. Could some have been starting to develop from hens laying eggs each day?

 

[Akrnaf2]

What breed, and what was your incubation temp?

 

[kelly52862]

Mixed breed hens mostly, Easter Eggers, Orphington, Wyandotte and Welsummer. The incubator was 99 to 101 temps with a fan. But I did have to double stack a few eggs as the turner holds 42.

 

[Akrnaf2]

So no Bantams, and the temp was OK, I can't find any reason way!

 

[kelly52862]

It was a Hova-bator 1588, with temp gauge & humidity. I didn't add a second thermometer, but maybe should have.......

 

[Akrnaf2]

It was a Hova-bator 1588, with temp gauge & humidity. I didn't add a second thermometer, but maybe should have.......

It is always a good Idea! It could be a temp matter.

 

[Leaguinea]

It was a Hova-bator 1588, with temp gauge & humidity. I didn't add a second thermometer, but maybe should have.......

I have a Hovabator 1588 with fan. My first batch hatched 3 days early with the bator on factory settings.
I have since lowered the bator temp to 98.9 (from 99.9 set temp) and this batch pipped 1-2 days early but are hatching closer to the time they are supposed to.
According to my secondary thermometer the bator thermometer is reading low. (ie: it says the temp is 98.9 - 99.0 but the secondary thermometer is telling me the temp is 100.1 - 101.0).
I would suggest you get a secondary thermometer or even 2 more and see what they say.

 

[kelly52862]

Interesting! Thank you... I should have done that, but will on the next hatch!