1st Lockdown, Tell me I did it right...

[HighNDryFarm]

My first time hatching, so first time setting up for a lockdown. I have the LG9200 still air. I'm at day 18 with 22 eggs. I chose to go with the Styrofoam egg carton, cut out the bottoms and pocked holes all around. I tried to lay the eggs on their side with the bigger end more up but some are pretty big and their small ends dropped in the cup of the carton. I cut a new sponge into four pieces, soaked them in hot water and placed them under the wire, in the corners of the bator. I filled the reservoir with hot water also. My humidity is up to 72% after running between 30-40% between 1-18 days. The thermometers are now on the wire rack instead of of top of the eggs???? Is this correct? Also, what temperature should I look for now that my temps are lower then the eggs? I've been running between 99.5-101 (depending on how darn hot my husband builds the fire:/ ). If I need to add water I'll be adding through the vent holes with a syringe and plastic tubing.

I'm so freakin' nervous!!!!!!

PLEASE any corrections or suggestions? Thank you ahead of time!

 

[debilorrah]

Personally, I feel that 72% is too high. I usually shoot for 55%. Do you have the vent holes open? Ventilation is important.

 

[HighNDryFarm]

Quote:
Oh, THANK YOU for responding.....I do have the vents open. I was shooting for more of the 55-60% but it went up to 72%, should I remove a sponge or suck some water out of the bottom? It's only been about an hour. What is your opinion on the temp? I did move one of the thermometers back on top of the eggs just to make sure of the temperature since I'd fooled with them so much trying to get the turner out and them into the cartons....this is so stressful....

OK, I panicked....I opened it back up, took out the sponges and sucked up some water.....I'm walkin away for a couple of hours and then check the humidity and temp. If I need to bring it up I'll just use the syringe and tubing to add more water? Ah geez!

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Oh, THANK YOU for responding.....I do have the vents open. I was shooting for more of the 55-60% but it went up to 72%, should I remove a sponge or suck some water out of the bottom? It's only been about an hour. What is your opinion on the temp? I did move one of the thermometers back on top of the eggs just to make sure of the temperature since I'd fooled with them so much trying to get the turner out and them into the cartons....this is so stressful....

How long ago did you lock down? If it was less than 8 hours, it will probably stabilize itself. I usually wait at least 8 hours to make any adjustments.

 

[nicoletm24]

I keep my humidity around 35-40% up til lock down as you did. Then for lock down 55-65%. too high will drown the poor lil guys.


GOOD LUCK

 

[blefky]

Quote:
x 2 - Good luck!

 

[HighNDryFarm]

Quote:
That's what I thought....so, as I mentioned in my edited post above, I removed the sponges and some water in the trough and I'll see if it will settle in. My concern now is the temperature since I took them out of the turner, even though they're in the carton they're still lower...so should I raise the temp a degree?

Really, thank you so much for the help. I've been reading this board from top to bottom since before I set these gals (positive thinking) and still I'm here asking questions!

Such responsibility to get them this far and then blow it!

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
That's what I thought....so, as I mentioned in my edited post above, I removed the sponges and some water in the trough and I'll see if it will settle in. My concern now is the temperature since I took them out of the turner, even though they're in the carton they're still lower...so should I raise the temp a degree?

Really, thank you so much for the help. I've been reading this board from top to bottom since before I set these gals (positive thinking) and still I'm here asking questions!

Such responsibility to get them this far and then blow it!

Don't raise the temp. It will stabilize and you just started lockdown, so there is nothing to worry about.

 

[HighNDryFarm]

Quote:
That's what I thought....so, as I mentioned in my edited post above, I removed the sponges and some water in the trough and I'll see if it will settle in. My concern now is the temperature since I took them out of the turner, even though they're in the carton they're still lower...so should I raise the temp a degree?

Really, thank you so much for the help. I've been reading this board from top to bottom since before I set these gals (positive thinking) and still I'm here asking questions!

Such responsibility to get them this far and then blow it!

Don't raise the temp. It will stabilize and you just started lockdown, so there is nothing to worry about.

So, after the 72% spike, I'm now having trouble keeping the humidity up to at least 50%! I have to add hot water every 2-3 hours just to keep it between 50-55%, otherwise it drops to 48%! I have a sponge in there, cut in four pieces and just keeping them wet doesn't work. I'm flowing water through any little hole I can to disperse the water which seems to get me the best results but again, it only lasts for a few hours. I'm on day two of lockdown, no pipping, no action. Any suggestions so that I don't have to babysit like this? I'm so worried I've messed this whole thing up!

 

[gryeyes]

Just because you read of others having pips and zips and early hatches doesn't mean everybody does. I don't get the least bit worried about "action" in the 'bator until late on day 21. That's the natural incubation period: 21 days. It's the mean of the average, so some eggs hatch earlier and some hatch later.

And I also keep eggs in the incubator until at least day 25.