Incubating eggs 2nd try

[Msav]

I case you have not read my introduction message My first time at incubation was with Chinese incubators off amazon. I ended up with a larger hatch rate than I would have if I had not intervened. Too sum it up my incubators were off on bot temperature and humidity. some going too high temp up to 104 degrees and large humidity swings due to water bottles that would not auto feed. I ended up with chick that could pip but not zipper. either because they were too large to turn in the shell or from a tough rubbery membrane that they could not break. I gave them 24 to 30 hours after pip and when there was not progress I intervened and helped. 40 of the 45 needed help.

I contacted some of the sellers on amazon, some of them did not care, some offered to troubleshoot and one offered a replacement unit. The replacement unit was a new model that automatically controlled the humidity. Since I was now prepared with a certified accurate temp and hygrometer I was prepared to make sure this one was accurate from the start. so far after 10 days it has remained accurate.

I am writing this for some advice on my first attempt and I am I correct in my assumption that it was the incubators inaccurate measurements that caused my hatching issues. I have read that tough membranes can also be hereditary from the mother hens. However I got these eggs from 3 different sources. They were all barnyard mix and easter eggers. I find it hard to believe that with this many different eggs coming from numerous different hens and different sellers that it was feed or hereditary.

The eggs I am currently incubating are from one of the 3 sources as before. I only picked up a dozen as that is all the incubator held and I do not need any more chickens. I just needed to review this incubator as I felt obligated to since the seller sent it to me as a replacement.

any advice to my 1st try is appreciated

 

[Debbie292d]

Humidity is an average, so spiking high or low is okay as long as it's not for hours.

I have a couple dozen silkies hatching every four to five days here so I stick to my method, which happens to be the most commonly done.

I set humidity to 45%.
Temp: 99.5F
Confirm the above with hygrometer/thermometer.

At lockdown (3-5 days before they hatch) I pull the racks, no more turning, and jack up the humidity to 70%. Lockdown means lockdown, no opening until they're all hatched, unless extraordinary circumstances, like when I just HAD to see my first buff chick I ever hatched. If I have to sneak in, I wait until the humidity is in the 80s from them hatching, then raise one side, snatch the chick and shut the lid fast.

If you ever have to assist again, this article is awesome and might help you.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/