NOT HATCHING

[Bedste]

Is anyone having any success hatching eggs in an incubator? I finally stopped trying... 4 times I set 42 eggs and 1 or 2 hatched. In 12 weeks I had 6 chicks all who turned out to be roosters. A friend of mine down south has had the same experience. We have both been hatching 70 % before this. I wonder how wide spread this is. Is there something new in the laying pellets that might be making my chickens sterile?

 

[CochinBrahmaLover=)]

Doubt its the pellets.

Whats the humdity?
When do you go into lockdown? 18 days, correct?
Is you're friends and your rooster's from the same person / hatchery? (they could have fertility issues)

I'll think of more... later... lol.

 

[BrownSheep]

I actually was talking to a breeder this year who said that hatching rates have been off all across the country this year. Mine were as good as they ever were. But I don't hatch out many batches.

 

[RemudaOne]

I don't know about haching from incubators but if you want to check fertility, you could break open some of the eggs and look for the bulls eye. I only set seven eggs under a hen this year (they hatched 8/26/12), five hatched and I have four roosters .

If you have a broody hen, try putting some eggs under her. If your hatch rate is better, you'll know it's not a fertility issue.

 

[bonbean01]

Hmmm...that's interesting that you and others are not getting good hatch rates. I am an addict with our little incubator and have hatched many quail and bantam eggs in the past. Was waiting for spring to incubate Rhode Island Red eggs for the first time, but I can't wait and will start collecting eggs for the incubator instead of the fridge today...stupid I know since winter is on the way, but I have the itch...LOLOL...now I'm wondering if they just do better in spring and summer than fall and winter? I'll let you know how my attempt goes.

At about 10 days I candle and check for fertility with my bizarre small bright flashlight in the dark...if they are fertile, no need to keep turning them by hand and out they go. In the past very few from a batch of 20 are not fertile, but who knows about these new chickens?

I turn them by hand 5 times a day for the first 10 days, then 3 times a day for the remaining time. I check temperature and humidity so many times a day that I haven't counted how many times a day...LOLOL...and of course incubating now means more work with chicks with heat lamps. Kinda nuts but it's been so long since I've fired up the incubator

 

[Bedste]

Yes I know about the humidity and turning them by hand and all. I have hatched successfully for several years with about 70% hatch. This year is the first ever problem.

 

[bonbean01]

No clue why that would be...I'll keep you posted on how my batch goes...keeping fingers crossed

 

[Bedste]

when did you set them? When are they due? What state do you live in?

 

[CrazyCatNChickenLady]

I usually do pretty good with the incubator and avarage a batch every 3 months or so. We moved in april and I haven't set a batch here yet, but I finally set some eggs yesterday!! 3 weeks! I'm hoping for at least 50% hatch rate.. I cant keep 20 chicks but 8-10 would be better..!

 

[ragdollcatlady]

If you are feeding GMO corn or soy you may find reproductive problems. Farm animals and lab animals in studies have severe fertility, reproductive and behavior problems.

If you look for Genetic Roulette the book or DVD has tons of studies and real peoples experiences with GMO problems.

I had problems with aggressive birds and cannibalism this year for the first time. My birds were not crowded, were fed adequately and otherwise healthy. I got them 4 different sources and I hatched some and bought some as day olds. I tried to increase protein since feather picking and cannibalism can be caused by a deficiency but it didn't help. The only thing I did differently this year was try to switch over to whole grains sooner, to get off the processed foods (poultry crumbles). When I saw the DVD and started reading that book a light went on...I was feeding a scratch that contained corn. I switched to oats, wheat and milo for my free range birds and they are fine....I did destroy (ate) the cannibalistic and mean birds though because if it has a genetic component, I don't want to perpetuate horrible traits into the future.

I have had great hatch rates all year, though I regularly have a harder time if the temp in the house fluctuates too much.

I have had chickens for many years and my kids show in the local fairs, regularly winning blue ribbons and Best of divisions with a few Best and Reserve of shows. Our birds are usually in really good condition and well cared for, so the issues this year threw me for a loop. I hatch nearly all year in my incubator and haven't had any fertility issues though.

PS the only birds I had a problem with were the new babies hatched or bought this year...all my older birds were fine, but everyone is on corn and soy free now. Almost all my birds are free range as well.