What happened to my bantam chick?

[mgardner]

Ok first shot at hatching here. We had two bantam eggs that went into the hatch last Monday. Well nothing happened. So today at day 25 I put a tiny hole in the top and saw they weren't alive. I don't have any experience in this, but is there any way to know what happened? One was completely developed but just never pipped head under wing, one died awhile ago it seems, still had quite a bit of yolk attached. Thanks for your help. I have pics but I can't figure out how to post them through the app

 

[owlflights]

I think humidity (not enough) can have this effect. If the air cell is not big enough they can not get out and basically drown.

 

[mgardner]

Oh I thought less humidity equaled bigger air cells? I had it running 30-35% for the first 17 days, then 65-70% after that

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Ok first shot at hatching here. We had two bantam eggs that went into the hatch last Monday. Well nothing happened. So today at day 25 I put a tiny hole in the top and saw they weren't alive. I don't have any experience in this, but is there any way to know what happened? One was completely developed but just never pipped head under wing, one died awhile ago it seems, still had quite a bit of yolk attached. Thanks for your help. I have pics but I can't figure out how to post them through the app

Oh I thought less humidity equaled bigger air cells? I had it running 30-35% for the first 17 days, then 65-70% after that

Yes, less humidity bigger air cells, higher humidity will result in smaller air cells and possible chicks drowning. First off, what kind of bantams are they and second what was your humidity the first 17 days?

 

[mgardner]

They are Silkie bantam mixes. And it was between 30-35% for the first 17 days. When I candled them in day 18 the air cells hadn't drooped to one side yet, still a good size tho. But when I just did it today to check for life the air cells were where they were supposed to be.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

They are Silkie bantam mixes. And it was between 30-35% for the first 17 days. When I candled them in day 18 the air cells hadn't drooped to one side yet, still a good size tho. But when I just did it today to check for life the air cells were where they were supposed to be.

You're numbers look good. Are your silkie's laying regulary?

 

[mgardner]

They are, they each lay once a day. They are only about a year old tho. The eggs are small but normal for the silkies. Is it possible the egg was to small for the chicks? Our bantam rooster is bigger than her but not giant. When I opened the egg, the chick was really crammed in there

 

[AmyLynn2374]

They are, they each lay once a day. They are only about a year old tho. The eggs are small but normal for the silkies. Is it possible the egg was to small for the chicks? Our bantam rooster is bigger than her but not giant. When I opened the egg, the chick was really crammed in there

Doubt it. I had my best hatch last year from my pullet's eggs. They were only 7 months and had only been laying regularly for 4-6 weeks. 100% lockdown-hatch. I had originally set 21 and had one quit around day 4/5. The other 20 made it to lockdown and hatched. Chicks are really crammed. I am still trying to figure out how they do it!! I can't think of anything else. You had vents open for hatch right?

 

[mgardner]

Ya, I had both vents open, we are using a forced air incubator for the first 17 days and then a still air incubator for a hatcher. Temp spiked to 104 for about twenty min in the hatcher before I caught it. But other than that stayed around 101-102. Could that do it? Sigh. I have another 25 to go into the hatcher tommorow. Thanks for all your help. I appreciate it. I've been wondering, do they go into lockdown beginning of day 18? Or end of day 18?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Ya, I had both vents open, we are using a forced air incubator for the first 17 days and then a still air incubator for a hatcher. Temp spiked to 104 for about twenty min in the hatcher before I caught it. But other than that stayed around 101-102. Could that do it? Sigh. I have another 25 to go into the hatcher tommorow. Thanks for all your help. I appreciate it. I've been wondering, do they go into lockdown beginning of day 18? Or end of day 18?

104 is a danger zone, but 20 minutes, eh it's iffy. Whenever you decide to go into lockdown. As long as it's done before they hatch...lol No, really, it makes little difference as long as everything has progressed on schedule. I usually do mine half way through day 18.