What did I do wrong..........

[aurorarose25]

ok the majority of the verdict is in. 22eggs have hatched with 2 more on pips(don't expect them to live

) out of, get this 62 eggs. WOW!!! not even 25% of the hatch. I am so bummed. I have 8 silkies out of 32. 9 ameracaunas out of 15 and 3 buff cochins out of 15. I have an idea of what went wrong...
1. my temp spiked to 104 during hatching and 85% humidity
2. too many eggs in one bator hatching at one time. the ones that hatched early kept moving all of the non hatched ones, smothering them in the shell
3. didn't take out older hatched chicks so new ones could have room to move around and not get trampled.

So, could these be legitimate reasons or am I missing something.
Pleas send all input....

 

[2txmedics]

sorry, know how you feel,...did my very first bating and am new to this....had 32 eggs...17 havent hatched...today is day 25...2 hatched sickly and died days later....10 buff orps and 1 cuckoo maran now.

so I went in search, and now I know what I did wrong...there is a very long HOW TO on humidity and it explains it, its awesome and very very long....I hope it can help you.

Im going to try again in about 1week....let me go find the post.....ok...here it is....I had just posted it in two different postings, let me know if it helps:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=221826&p=7

 

[cbbantams]

Sounds like all of the above could have been the proablem.you learn a little every time.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
I think 62 eggs in one styrofoam incubator is waaay to many. Just because you can fit that many in, doesn't mean you should.

I was under the impression from what you said in your earlier thread that you readjusted the temp control after your hatch started....is that not correct? Once you get the temp steady during the incubation don't mess with it.....especially during your hatch.

With that high of humidity they could have been drowning as they internally pipped.

 

[aurorarose25]

Quote:
I think 62 eggs in one styrofoam incubator is waaay to many. Just because you can fit that many in, doesn't mean you should.

I was under the impression from what you said in your earlier thread that you readjusted the temp control after your hatch started....is that not correct? Once you get the temp steady during the incubation don't mess with it.....especially during your hatch.

With that high of humidity they could have been drowning as they internally pipped.

see the thing was. I was adjusting the temp but couldn't get it to 101 without keeping the lid open. The temp control nob was on perfect before they started hatching, so if was from the chicks that were hatching. The humidity was getting so high, I had to keep opening the lid that was the only way I could keep the temp and humidity level.
Before they started hatching temp was at 101 even and humidity was a perfect 65-70%.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
I think 62 eggs in one styrofoam incubator is waaay to many. Just because you can fit that many in, doesn't mean you should.

I was under the impression from what you said in your earlier thread that you readjusted the temp control after your hatch started....is that not correct? Once you get the temp steady during the incubation don't mess with it.....especially during your hatch.

With that high of humidity they could have been drowning as they internally pipped.

see the thing was. I was adjusting the temp but couldn't get it to 101 without keeping the lid open. The temp control nob was on perfect before they started hatching, so if was from the chicks that were hatching. The humidity was getting so high, I had to keep opening the lid that was the only way I could keep the temp and humidity level.
Before they started hatching temp was at 101 even and humidity was a perfect 65-70%.

I guess it may have spiked that high since there were so many eggs in there, I honestly don't know. My temps always spike a tiny bit, but not nearly that much. The most I ever put in is 41 eggs. I'd suggest you not put nearly that many in next time amd see what happens. I saw on another thread that you were asking about doing ducks and chickens together.....I'd like to make a suggestion....while you're learning the ins and outs of incubating just do one type of bird. Ducks really need more humidity than chicken eggs do. I know some people do them together but while you're learning I'd discourage you from combining them.

 

[aurorarose25]

Quote:
see the thing was. I was adjusting the temp but couldn't get it to 101 without keeping the lid open. The temp control nob was on perfect before they started hatching, so if was from the chicks that were hatching. The humidity was getting so high, I had to keep opening the lid that was the only way I could keep the temp and humidity level.
Before they started hatching temp was at 101 even and humidity was a perfect 65-70%.

I guess it may have spiked that high since there were so many eggs in there, I honestly don't know. My temps always spike a tiny bit, but not nearly that much. The most I ever put in is 41 eggs. I'd suggest you not put nearly that many in next time amd see what happens. I saw on another thread that you were asking about doing ducks and chickens together.....I'd like to make a suggestion....while you're learning the ins and outs of incubating just do one type of bird. Ducks really need more humidity than chicken eggs do. I know some people do them together but while you're learning I'd discourage you from combining them.

amen to that. I am going to get chickens to hatch at a high rate before I even consider ducks.
I have a problem maybe you can help with.


My only buff silkie is not using both legs, its like it is crawling on one leg. I think I have seen a thread somewhere but I can't remember what its called to even look for it.

 

[Katy]

Does it have spraddle legs?

 

[aurorarose25]

Quote:
maybe have to see a pic...

hold on...

I gues a form let me send a pic if you have a sec?

 

[Katy]

Sure you can send me a picture, but why not just post it on the forum....that way more people can weigh in on what's going on with it.