Why didn't they hatch??

[ezbird]

I feel for you hippichick!! I'm incubating some shipped D'uccle eggs and I can feel that some of my eggs might not make it. But I'm leaving them in there just incase I'm wrong. I candled one egg yesterday and its growing. So I'm just wishing that they all make it.

 

[hippichick]

Thanks everyone for all the wisdom. Was away from the computer. Yes, these were shipped eggs. All but 2, which hatched just fine. I guess that was my biggest problem. I just thought since they all made it to day 18, they should hatch. Wishful thinking, I guess. I'll be sure and calibrate my thermometer to be sure it is correct. I did, but I'll do it again this hatch. I took apart and disinfected the bator like I do every time, so I should be good to go. These eggs are from my coop, so they should do better. I usually get a really good hatch rate on my own eggs.
Shipping is so rough on eggs, I know. But it's the only way sometimes to get the breeds we want, so it's just a chance we take. Those are the last I will order until Fall. It's just too hot.
I really don't have room for a wiggler either, so I wonder if I should adjust my temp to 100.5 so it will be 99.5 inside the egg?
Yes, I agree, it's better that they didn't hatch at all than to hatch and be deformed or sickly and die anyway. That's why the broody hens are the best, I guess.

Paula

 

[hippichick]

Quote:
Good luck on your d'uccle eggs. What color are they? I had Millies and Porcelains. I had 2 Millies hatch and 1 Porcelain. Cutest little chicks. I think they are my favorite breed, so I am happy with the 3 that hatched. I have 2 who are about a month old from a previous hatch. Love em!

 

[hinkjc]

Did you do a break open analysis on the unhatched eggs? If so, I would think you would have found a lot of chicks with unabsorbed yolk sacks. A day 19 hatch is a sure sign the bator is running too hot. Regardless of how accurate we think our thermometers are..hatch day speaks volumes. All chicks should hatch on or closer to day 21. If they are hatching earlier, your thermometer is reading too low IMO. I would highly discourage bumping it higher.

There could have been additional factors of course, but I would start with the thermometer. Shipping, humidity, egg storage, breeding stock and ventilation can all cause related issues.

Jody

 

[hippichick]

Jody, a couple of other people said the same thing about the temp being too high. I still have eggs in the incubator from this hatch. This is day 22, so I am going to pull those out tonight, so it's still running. I just put 3 more thermometers in the bator. So I have an Accurite, 2 Springfields, and the thermometer that came with the bator in there. This should tell me if the temp is too high or too low.
And yes, when we opened them, the yolk sacs were unabsorbed. I'll update when my temps are verified. Thanks..

Paula

 

[Mrs MIA]

Yep... shipping really takes a toll on the eggs. But like you, sometimes it's the only choice for getting the breeds we want. I don't know how many I've had to toss because they didn't hatch... they're active when they go in the hatcher, then they die, most without pipping. The airsacs have been detached on most, so I try not to move them too much and hatch them in a carton even, just to keep the airsacs near the top of the egg. Now, I have 6 silkie eggs that were brought up here from Florida in checked baggage, and 5 are going strong with nice solid airsacs still attached. I'm very hopeful for them. If you can find someone that is flying or driving to your area that can courier eggs, do it!

Sooo, anyone coming to Alaska to visit?

 

[hippichick]

Well, I placed 4 thermometers in my hovabator last nite. 3 of them are digital hygrometer/thermometers, 1 is the thermometer that came with the bator. 2 digitals and the thermometer that came with the bator read 100.4. 1 digital reads 98.8. Should the temp vary at all in a forced air bator? And I seem to recall reading in another post awhile back that you can't trust the temp reading on a hygrometer/thermometer combo. So, what do you use to check temp? Oh, and my humidity readings are different on all 3 hygrometers.

I am so confused...Oh, and about day 19 being too early to hatch, I have always found my bantams hatch early-at around 19 days. Those that I order and those that I collect from my coops. Anyone have any input on this? I'd think I've read other people having the same experience with bantam breeds. I don't raise standards, so I have nothing to compare to.Input greatly appreciated..Paula

 

[hippichick]

Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain :

Yep... shipping really takes a toll on the eggs. But like you, sometimes it's the only choice for getting the breeds we want. I don't know how many I've had to toss because they didn't hatch... they're active when they go in the hatcher, then they die, most without pipping. The airsacs have been detached on most, so I try not to move them too much and hatch them in a carton even, just to keep the airsacs near the top of the egg. Now, I have 6 silkie eggs that were brought up here from Florida in checked baggage, and 5 are going strong with nice solid airsacs still attached. I'm very hopeful for them. If you can find someone that is flying or driving to your area that can courier eggs, do it!

Sooo, anyone coming to Alaska to visit?

Yeah, sounds like I'll have to take a roadtrip if I want my eggs to have a chance at all. Or, even better, hopefully could find actual live birds. But, I'd have to get some eggs too, as I am addicted to the hatching.lol As frustrating as it is, once you start, you just have to keep doing it. Cause the next hatch just might be your best ever...

Good luck with your Silkies.Now, Alaska, that WOULD be a bit of a roadtrip, but who knows???

...What kinda birds do you have???????????lol

Paula​

 

[hinkjc]

Personally, when I hatch bantams and standards together, they hatch on the same day. I have heard folks say their bantams hatch early too, but that is not typical or the norm unless there is a temperature issue.

I would think there are hot and cool spots in a still air since the air is not evenly distributed like a forced fan bator. I don't like them and don't use them, so I couldn't say for sure. Hopefully someone who uses a still air could add their experiences.

Jody

 

[sara]

Quote:
If the chicks are hatching early the temp is too high. Try keeping your incubator .5 degree lower the next time and see if they hatch closer to day 21.

Oh, and about day 19 being too early to hatch, I have always found my bantams hatch early-at around 19 days.

My bantams hatch right along with my large fowls