Yolks keep breaking

[Jmpeters]

What causes yolks to break in the incubator? I only have one hen, i made one incubator cor the first 25 days and made a seperate hatching incubator to put the egg in after that. but everyday I put the egg in the incubator and so far the first 6 eggs have been broken by day 5. Any suggestions?

 

[Kevin565]

What temps were you using?

Humidity Levels?

 

[Jmpeters]

The temp varies from 98.9-100.1 and the humidity stays at 55%.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

what do you mean the eggs are broken? Like the shell is broken open and contents everywhere?

are you hand turning?

do you have small children who could be "helping"?

 

[Jmpeters]

Oh no sorry, when I candle the egg, the yolk inside is broke. Till my motor for the egg turner I built comes in, I am turning by hand. I only have time to turn them 3 times a day. At 6am, 4pm, and 11 pm. My kids are only home when I'm home so they can't turn them anymore.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

have you cracked the eggs open to confirm the yolks are broken?

 

[Jmpeters]

No I haven't but when I candle them, it's not even round. If I hold it on its side and candle it, the yolk will take up the whole side, not no round shape. Sorry I can't describe it any better. It's just clearly broke.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

if you havent cracked one open you wont know for sure, its a guess at best. Is this your first time incubating eggs?

 

[Jmpeters]

Ill crack one open when i get home to make sure. Yes it's my first time incubating. Never had ducks (or any other poultry or fowl) before either till this spring. Planned on having 8 ducks, ended up with 12, then raccoons killed all but 2 in one night. One male, one female, thought that was kinda lucky despite losing the rest. So I figured I'd try to incubate some.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

ok since I am a visual person here are a couple of candled eggs (just took these)


Fresh duck egg from our Silver Appleyards laid in the last 2-3 days



Newly arrived SHIPPED egg for hatching ordered on Saturday. Shipped Monday, arrived today (Wednesday)