Which one to trust!?

[Iluveggers]

75% sounds high to me?

The incubator has worked well (keeping consistent temp and humidity) . My hatch rates, which I’ve only hatched twice we’re not good. Most recent hatch last month- I had full grown chicks at 75% at lockdown- moving and active (there were 10 total) then only 3 hatched. I don’t know if it’s just chicks being weak and not being able to hatch or what. My very first hatch was 7/20. I’ve done so Much research, my brain hurts so I just need some guidance, trust the process and know that nature sometimes just has a course, or change my incubation levels and try for difference.

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[NatJ]

75% sounds high to me?

I read it as:
75% = 10 eggs looked good at lockdown
3 chicks hatched

So something obviously went wrong.

I've read that several kinds of problems early in incubation can actually show up as developed chicks failing to hatch. (Even if the problem appears during lockdown, that doesn't mean the lockdown conditions caused it.) So checking thermometers and temperature before starting the next batch does sound like a good place to start.

 

[Iluveggers]

I read it as:
75% = 10 eggs looked good at lockdown
3 chicks hatched

So something obviously went wrong.

I've read that several kinds of problems early in incubation can actually show up as developed chicks failing to hatch. (Even if the problem appears during lockdown, that doesn't mean the lockdown conditions caused it.) So checking thermometers and temperature before starting the next batch does sound like a good place to start.

Ohhh I was thinking 75% humidity…

 

[Ebaumgardner]

In that case, yes, calibrate thermometers, then set the incubator to be right according to the calibrated thermometers, and see if that helps hatch rates.

That is a very sensible thing to check at this stage.

How were you turning the eggs?

I have an automatic egg turner, I will set my watch for 2 hours on random days to make sure it’s rotating.

 

[Ebaumgardner]

I have an automatic egg turner, I will set my watch for 2 hours on random days to make sure it’s rotating.

I don’t think I can calibrate these. Can you tell me what thermometers everyone uses on here. I have a farm innovators 4250.

 

[Iluveggers]

I don’t think I can calibrate these. Can you tell me what thermometers everyone uses on here. I have a farm innovators 4250.

You’d have to get a prong thermometer (I used a Meat thermometer.) See what that reads. If it’s exactly 32 when frozen you’re good, if it’s lower or higher make a note. Then set it next to your other thermometer at room temp for 15-20 minutes. If they both read the same you know whether it’s accurate or if it’s actually higher or lower than what it shows. If it’s 2 degrees lower for example, whatever it says in the incubator the temp is actually 2 degrees higher. I hope I explained that ok!

 

[NatJ]

I have an automatic egg turner, I will set my watch for 2 hours on random days to make sure it’s rotating.

That sounds good