HELP! lockdown humidity

[silkieshorts]

Is it safe to put a sponge in the incubator alongside the eggs or will chicks peck at it when hatched?

I have 6 silkie eggs on lockdown since last night, I candled them before locking down and all are looking good to go, today is day 18, two eggs are wobbling a little bit since right before lockdown, my hygrometer is reading 48-50% humidity. I’m using a brinsea mini 2 eco, both chambers are as full as possible but the humidity won’t rise any further than that. The water chambers don’t have space for sponge.

 

[Rose Quartz]

Even if they did peck at it i don't think they'd have the strength to get any of it off to eat.

If the sponge doesnt help, I've hatched at 50% humidity before without any problems, once they started hatching the humidity went up.

 

[silkieshorts]

Thank you! I thought it might have been a little irrational fear I had! I’ve just put in some sponge so we’ll see how that works.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Is your hygrometer calibrated? I'm not familiar with this incubator, but if it has an adjustable air port that you can open and close if close it a bit and see if that helps, otherwise a wet peice of sponge should be fine. @Rose Quartz is right, the humidity will go up during hatching.

 

[silkieshorts]

It is, I also double checked before locking them down. The sponge has raised it so far to 62%. There is no adjustable air port but I have temporarily blocked one of the air holes.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

It is, I also double checked before locking them down. The sponge has raised it so far to 62%. There is no adjustable air port but I have temporarily blocked one of the air holes.

That will be just fine! Happy hatching!

 

[silkieshorts]

That will be just fine! Happy hatching!

Thank you! I’m so nervous, but I’m taking wiggling eggs as a good sign!

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Thank you! I’m so nervous, but I’m taking wiggling eggs as a good sign!

I was nervous my first time hatching too, who new you could spend so much time staring at an incubator But 80+ chicks later I still find it fascinating! Post pics when your littles hatch

 

[silkieshorts]

I’ve spent an hour today sitting watching them, knowing nothings gonna happen today haha

I will!!

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

Is it safe to put a sponge in the incubator alongside the eggs or will chicks peck at it when hatched?

I have 6 silkie eggs on lockdown since last night, I candled them before locking down and all are looking good to go, today is day 18, two eggs are wobbling a little bit since right before lockdown, my hygrometer is reading 48-50% humidity. I’m using a brinsea mini 2 eco, both chambers are as full as possible but the humidity won’t rise any further than that. The water chambers don’t have space for sponge.

dude, I had a flock of Rhode Island Reds a few years ago who ate the HEAVY DUTY STYROFOAM that my stepdad used to insulate their coop. it made the eggs taste funny, but the chickens were fine.