White powder in incubator

[Sylvie202019]

Hello, I have been running my 3 incubators for the last 6 months, hatching every week, without any problem.
Today, at the end of day 20, I opened to check, no peeps, no holes but to my big surprise, the is a white powder on the eggs and on the incubator walls and cover. I tasted it and it is like salt.
It never happened to me and I am worry about my chicks, and they seem to be running late...
Can it be something coming from the water? From the incubator mechanism?
Anyone has experienced something similar?

 

[MGG]

Do you have any pics? That's kinda gross, lol. I would guess an incubator malfunction. Can you call the company? What brand of incubator? Maybe someone here has the same kind and can offer more advice.

 

[FluffyFeathers97]

Could be a water quality issue. Might want to get a test done. If the water has high salt content it would gather up inside the incubator.

 

[Sylvie202019]

Do you have any pics? That's kinda gross, lol. I would guess an incubator malfunction. Can you call the company? What brand of incubator? Maybe someone here has the same kind and can offer more advice.

No, I did not take pictures because I did not want to keep the cover opened more than necessary.
i am starting to hear peeps, I am relieved.

 

[Sylvie202019]

Could be a water quality issue. Might want to get a test done. If the water has high salt content it would gather up inside the incubator.

Yes, that was the first thing that came to my mind. But, the incubator that hatched last week did not have that issue...
Unless water quality changes with the spring, and melting snow.. I guess I will have my answer next week.
This one is bigger and calls for more water than my other two.
I will run it with bottled water next time and see.

 

[MGG]

Good luck on your hatch!

 

[aart]

Are you cleaning bators between hatches?
I always use distilled water.

 

[Sylvie202019]

Yes, I am cleaning and desinfecting the incubators between batches. I am now on day 22 and 1/3 of my eggs have hatched And are very healthy. Thank you all for pointing me in the water quality direction. By checking with my plumber, he confirmed that as snow is melting and water lever raising in the river, it changes the chemistry of our well water, I will move to distilled water from now on.

 

[Sylvie202019]

As a follow up, it did not cause any problem to the chicks. Before lockdown we cleaned every egg with a rag to remove the powder. Roughly wiped the inside of the incubator, and all went well. Distilled water for me now. Thank you all for your help.

 

[ChickyMudder]

My best guess is an overgrowth of yeast from the water.
if I am correct, it could cause respiratory issues as chicks hatch.
Maybe use boiled water if you dint have distilled water. Sanitize with bleach and mild soap before next hatch.