Hudsonsgirl
Chirping
Today is day 25 for my duck eggs. One is a Peking and the other is a mallard mix.
So I candled today and neither of them have internally pipped yet. I have been turning them today like normal. Tomorrow is lockdown and I read for people with homemade incubators that have trouble keeping consistent humidity should not lockdown until the ducklings have internally pipped.
Since I am using a homemade incubator I don't want to open the top unless its do or die. I found I lose about 5% humidity and up to 10° temp at most and recover that loss about 10 minutes after closing the top back.
Right now I'm able to keep the incubator at a steady 99-100 range and humidity at 50%.
So my questions are:
1.) do I wait to lockdown until they internally pip? And since I'm a worrier....
2.) If my humidity drops a little during lockdown how much is dangerous and is it but if it doesn't stay low because I fix it quickly within 15 minutes? For example I get the humidity to 60-70% but then it drops to 55-60. Is that going to shrink wrap or cause sticky chick?
3.) If they do internally pip before lockdown do I add the safety hole in the egg just I'm case they need it since my incubator is not as reliable?
4.) If I delay lockdown until they pip internally, do I still turn the eggs everyday?
Sorry..so many questions. I just know I can rely on you all for help.
So I candled today and neither of them have internally pipped yet. I have been turning them today like normal. Tomorrow is lockdown and I read for people with homemade incubators that have trouble keeping consistent humidity should not lockdown until the ducklings have internally pipped.
Since I am using a homemade incubator I don't want to open the top unless its do or die. I found I lose about 5% humidity and up to 10° temp at most and recover that loss about 10 minutes after closing the top back.
Right now I'm able to keep the incubator at a steady 99-100 range and humidity at 50%.
So my questions are:
1.) do I wait to lockdown until they internally pip? And since I'm a worrier....
2.) If my humidity drops a little during lockdown how much is dangerous and is it but if it doesn't stay low because I fix it quickly within 15 minutes? For example I get the humidity to 60-70% but then it drops to 55-60. Is that going to shrink wrap or cause sticky chick?
3.) If they do internally pip before lockdown do I add the safety hole in the egg just I'm case they need it since my incubator is not as reliable?
4.) If I delay lockdown until they pip internally, do I still turn the eggs everyday?
Sorry..so many questions. I just know I can rely on you all for help.