Ambient humidity plays a big role in incubation.... When I incubated I had to add water almost every other day because our relative humidity is close to 15 percent most of the year.
Though my broodies had no issues with it.... LOL Always shepherding a bizillian peeps about. got to love...
I know you want to be able to brood out on the ground but I just want to tell this story.
When Grandpa was raising chickens he and dad would brood with a Kerosine brooder. Not the antique kind you see on Ebay but just a kerosine lamp. they lived in Texas at the time raising either sheep or...
Hootie is a Cutie Patootie..... Congratulations.
Leave those eggs on lockdown to keep the humidity up.
When I hatched Guinea Keets they would pip and zip and sPRoiing out of the egg. flipping and flopping about in the incubator till they figured out how to get their feed under them.... It...
For what its worth water wigglers can also be found in Joke shops.... I like the water baloon Idea BEE but I think two zip lock plastic bags might be more roebust.... Just thiniking....
deb