Howdy

I set a clutch of 60 mixed chicken eggs from a mongrel flock of RIR / Brahma / Polish / Americauna birds.

I set them on Fri May 14th at 7 am. Temp 102 at egg top, and humidity about 57%.

I candled them at 10 and 18 days, and had 51 left in incubator. Raised humidity to 75% with additional pan of water, and added sponges to both pans.

First one hatched on Thurs June 3rd, and had 22 for the brooder Sat. morning, but I also had 3 wet ones, so I left them in to dry off, and put the others out in the brooder.

About an hour later, had another one hatch. Went to church and came back later that afternoon and had 2 more new ones. Left all until Sun. morning.

Sun morning I put out 3 into brooder, and threw one out, and had two still wet, with two more pipping. So I added more water to the pans / sponges, and checked the temp and put the lid back on. Sun afternoon they were still wet, so left them overnight.

Mon morning I went to put the two into the brooder, two (new?) wet, and two dead.

Mon afternoon two still wet...why? One more pipping...why?

What's going on, and when will this all end??? <grin>

Thanks in advance for your advice

Please e-mail me at rexulmer@acnet.net if you wish not to write answer here, but please re-consider and post here for all to see, and know. Thanks

happy clucking y'all

Rex

They're not drying off because humidity is too high. If not dry within 24 hrs. after hatching, go ahead and move to brooder to finish drying. Usually, late hatches are due to lower than ideal incubation temps. Remember that small still air incubators will have warmer and cooler spots. Unfortunately, most chicks hatching after day 23 don't fare as well. Your call. Good luck.