what did i do wrong

[WhoKnew]

out of 14 eggs only 7 have hatched. all were day 23 and 24. it looks like 3 or 4 have one leg that is not working. i hatched in a still incubator. put all in a cut down stryofoam egg carton to hatch on day 19. why do they have leg problems?

 

[ChickBond 007]

It may be a number of different things, but I would guess it was a temperature issue. What type of incubator?

 

[WhoKnew]

little giant-still air
i suspect i do have a temp problem. i had 3 different thermometers all with different readings. i guess my next question is where do i find an inexpensive thermometer? and also hydrometer?

 

[walkswithdog]

23 days and more is usually an incubator running slightly but consistently too cool. The unhatched ones were probably in even cooler zones. That's the devil of still air bators, they often have cool spots. I'd double check your thermometers before you try again. For still air it's 102 measured by a liquid thermometer, laid on top of the eggs, that's the most generally reliable way too tell. But check that sucker for accuracy. You can add a fan fairly cheaply and it helps eliminate cold spots/hot ones. That's what I'd work on first.

 

[Mahonri]

I bought a couple thermometers/hygrometers from Radio Shack. Not that expensive.

I'm guessing the temp was too low.

you'll have a better hatch next time.

Don't give up.

 

[ChickBond 007]

I bought mine at Radio Shack. I think it was $19. It has two temp gauges and humidity percentage, memory for high/low history. I think Walmart has some too.
If you are serious about incubating, you will someday choose an incubator with a fan. It helps with consistency. I have Hovabator 1588. You may also want to check out Brinsea.