Why can't I get a good hatch?

[Ouwendyker]

I recently put a dozen eggs in my incubator, and only 2 eggs hatched I kept the humidity at around 40°F for the first 18 days with regular turning. After day 18 I put the humidity to about 65% and left it closed except having to add water maybe every other day. My dad and I checked the the four eggs left and they were fully developed but died in the egg. Any suggestions on how to prevent that or how they died?

 

[SilkieChickenLover336]

Your humidity was a little low for the last couple days. Also where did you get the eggs from? If they were shipped then that could always explain it. Also what breed were you trying to hatch?

 

[newwestchick]

Also the temperature and type of incubator would be helpful for troubleshooting

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I recently put a dozen eggs in my incubator, and only 2 eggs hatched

I kept the humidity at around 40°F for the first 18 days with regular turning. After day 18 I put the humidity to about 65% and left it closed except having to add water maybe every other day. My dad and I checked the the four eggs left and they were fully developed but died in the egg. Any suggestions on how to prevent that or how they died?

What kind of incubator, if it's still or forced air and what your temps were and whether you have ever checked the instruments for accuracy are all good questions to start trouble shooting. Did you monitor your air cells or weigh to monitor moisture loss? And of course whether they were shipped or local.

I prefer humidity around 30% for the first 17 days and I monitor the air cells for adjustments.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Oh, and the two that hatched, what day did they hatch on?

 

[Ouwendyker]

Your humidity was a little low for the last couple days. Also where did you get the eggs from? If they were shipped then that could always explain it. Also what breed were you trying to hatch?

OK. Good to know. They were from my Dutch bantam or bearded d'Anver hens.

 

[Ouwendyker]

Also the temperature and type of incubator would be helpful for troubleshooting

im not exactly sure what model it is, I got from my brother who got it from a person we know.

 

[Ouwendyker]

What kind of incubator, if it's still or forced air and what your temps were and whether you have ever checked the instruments for accuracy are all good questions to start trouble shooting. Did you monitor your air cells or weigh to monitor moisture loss? And of course whether they were shipped or local.

I prefer humidity around 30% for the first 17 days and I monitor the air cells for adjustments.

I think it is still air, temperature was at 97-99 most of the time. The thermometer is pretty new, but no, I never weighed for moisture loss.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I think it is still air, temperature was at 97-99 most of the time. The thermometer is pretty new, but no, I never weighed for moisture loss.

Still air should maintain temps at 101-102 taken near the tops of the eggs.

 

[Ouwendyker]

Still air should maintain temps at 101-102 taken near the tops of the eggs.

ok. Nice to know