What went wrong?

[tlynnus]

I incubated some chicken eggs in February. Only 1 chick hatched, another chick pipped through the shell but died during hatch. After waiting until day 25, I opened up the rest. I found 5 fully formed chicks (along with some partially formed chicks and some duds) that never attempted to hatch. I kept the incubator at ~ 45-55% humidity until day 18 when I increased to 65-70%. The temperature was 99-102 F the entire time. I probably won't use the incubator again (my neighbor let me borrow it) because I usually just let me hens do the work. I'm just curious what I should have done differently. Thank you!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It could be a dozen different things - or more.
What day did the lone chick hatch on?
Are your thermometers calibrated?
What do you feed your breeders?
https://ufdc.ufl.edu/IR00004437/00001

 

[chickens really]

Usually it's humidity issues and Chicks drown if too much moisture is still in the eggs. Temps too can be an issue.

 

[tlynnus]

The lone chick hatched during the night of Day 20-21. The one that pipped but died tried to hatch on Day 21.
According to the paper you posted, my problem seems to have been either:
1. humidity too high during incubation
2. incubator temperature too low
3. incubator temperature too high
4. Low humidity during hatching
5. high temperature during hatching

Based upon the ranges that I posted, what should I have adjusted?

 

[fluffy9947]

I incubated some chicken eggs in February. Only 1 chick hatched, another chick pipped through the shell but died during hatch. After waiting until day 25, I opened up the rest. I found 5 fully formed chicks (along with some partially formed chicks and some duds) that never attempted to hatch. I kept the incubator at ~ 45-55% humidity until day 18 when I increased to 65-70%. The temperature was 99-102 F the entire time. I probably won't use the incubator again (my neighbor let me borrow it) because I usually just let me hens do the work. I'm just curious what I should have done differently. Thank you!

I think you may have overcooked the chicks. Normally, blood temperature is fine. That's about 37.5 celsius. Also depends what breeds you were incubating. Some breeds have a high rate of dying in the egg late on, e.g. Shetlands. Don't despair about the incubator. It works really well for me with breeds that don't go broody. Normally, Mum, who has sat on eggs for ages is just thrilled to be presented with healthy day-old chicks out of the incubator.