What Did I Do Wrong?

[Acornewell]

I set my first set of eggs on the 29th of August. I set 13 eggs, which I gathered from my hens within 5 days of putting them into a stable incubator.

My first two chicks hatched on the 20th and 21st day. (I counted my setting day, as day 1) Once they were dry, I put them into the brooder. They are doing really well.

The third chick hatched late on the 21st day, and the 4th chick was pipped and working on hatching. I literally could no longer stay awake to watch the 3rd dry and the 4th hatch. I went to bed and woke up a few hours later and the 3rd was resting, but would wake up and chirp and then rest again. The 4th was further along, but not quite hatched. No other eggs were pipped at this point. So I dozed off on the couch right next to the incubator and woke up maybe an hour later and both 3 and 4 were dead.

I am absolutely beside myself. Trying to figure out if I did something wrong! They were alive. and not only did one die, but they both died.

I do not really have much hope for the remaining eggs. They are not moving like the others did.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It's possible you did nothing wrong but if I were to guess, the temps were too high. The reason I say that is set day is day 0 not day 1. If you set on a Sunday, they should hatch the same time on a Sunday. So they hatched day 19 and 20.

Many other things could be amiss, including breeder nutrition. Layer and grower feeds are adequate for laying eggs but possibly not to produce viable embryos. That takes much higher levels of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids and fatty acids.

http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00008570/00001/6j

 

[Acornewell]

The incubator I have is already pre programmed set for incubating chicken eggs?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I understand that but it doesn't mean the factory setting is correct nor that it can't change.
Unless you verify it with a guaranteed accurate thermometer you'll never know. If chicken eggs hatch on days 19 and 20. It was too hot. It could also be too low humidity or too small eggs. Did you set pullet eggs?

 

[Acornewell]

So I should have checked to see if the temp it was reading was infact correct, like with another source. I did let the incubator stabilize before I placed the eggs in.

 

[Acornewell]

Also, the incubator I used has a built in thermostat and humidity gauge.

Here is the one I purchased: http://incubatorwarehouse.com/incuview-egg-incubator.html

The eggs I set were from younger hens...not pullets (none under 1 year old).

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The eggs should have been fine.

I've used as many as 6 thermometers and none agreed - and they were all wrong.
One that is accurate is the Brinsea Spot Check. I didn't trust it because it didn't agree with any of the others.
It wasn't till I used this one

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/low_cost/rt301wa.html

and it agreed with the Brinsea that I knew I was reading accurately. The thermoworks one is guaranteed within 0.9 degrees and calibratable. Most thermometers are only guaranteed within 2 degrees and they often miss that mark. That's too far off for successful incubation.

 

[Acornewell]

Oh my goodness...I really wish I would have known this!!! I am beside myself. I will be making sure I purchase this. I also want to let the company know they need to add this into their directions. They make it seem like it is a plug it in and go. I should have used my better judgement and checked it out.

I am assuming the eggs still in the incubator are not going to hatch? I am SO MAD at myself.

 

[Acornewell]

Here is what it says about the temp:

The proportional thermostat automatically controls the temperature by varying the amount of power that is supplied to the 40 watt heater instead of simply turning the heater off and on. This provides more precise temperature control over a standard on/off thermostat, and thus improves hatch rates. The IncuView™ also comes preset at 99.5 degrees F which is recommended for most eggs, yet can be easily adjusted if necessary, and a digital display makes it easy to read the current temperature.



Now I know.

 

[Acornewell]

I'm checking the incubator right now with the only one I have on hand. Just to see what it reads. I'll give it a bit to acclimate.

10:29 it is showing 96 Degrees with 80% humidity