1st time shipped eggs- advise please!

[Colorfulchickens]

Good evening,

First time incubating eggs, and for added difficulty they’re shipped. We’re on day 12. 6/7 have veins and movement. Most have lost 8-9% of egg weight, one has only lost 5% and the last 11%. Is that on tract for day 12.... should I adjust the humidity up or down? Air cells subjectively look small compared to charts, but hesitant to drop down humidity more. I’m ranging between 30-40% but does drop to 25% or so occasionally.

Air cells actually look ok, not obviously detached, I have them upright and “tilting” for rotation. Can they hatch upright, or should I lay them down at lockdown since air sacs look ok?

Lastly, my incubator doesn’t have any holes... just a fan (bought off Amazon). Should I drill holes for ventilation???

Thanks!!!

 

[MGG]

Good evening,

First time incubating eggs, and for added difficulty they’re shipped. We’re on day 12. 6/7 have veins and movement. Most have lost 8-9% of egg weight, one has only lost 5% and the last 11%. Is that on tract for day 12.... should I adjust the humidity up or down? Air cells subjectively look small compared to charts, but hesitant to drop down humidity more. I’m ranging between 30-40% but does drop to 25% or so occasionally.

Air cells actually look ok, not obviously detached, I have them upright and “tilting” for rotation. Can they hatch upright, or should I lay them down at lockdown since air sacs look ok?

Lastly, my incubator doesn’t have any holes... just a fan (bought off Amazon). Should I drill holes for ventilation???

Thanks!!!

Can you post candling pics where the air cells are visible?
Yeah, your incubator needs to have multiple vents open at all times.

 

[Colorfulchickens]

Can you post candling pics where the air cells are visible?
Yeah, your incubator needs to have multiple vents open at all times.

Give me a bit to find a helper.... but will do. Thank you!!!

 

[MGG]

Give me a bit to find a helper.... but will do. Thank you!!!

Sure thing! No problem!

 

[Colorfulchickens]

I sure hope I do this right

Egg A: 8% weight loss

Egg B: 9% loss

Egg C: 9% loss

Egg D: 11% loss

Egg E: 5% loss

Egg F: 8.5 % loss

And I will have DH drill holes tonight? How many for small incubator (prob 16 inches by 10 inches max)

Thanks!!

 

[MGG]

I sure hope I do this right

Egg A: 8% weight loss
View attachment 2573226

Egg B: 9% loss
View attachment 2573228

Egg C: 9% loss
View attachment 2573229

Egg D: 11% loss
View attachment 2573230

Egg E: 5% loss
View attachment 2573232

Egg F: 8.5 % loss
View attachment 2573236

And I will have DH drill holes tonight? How many for small incubator (prob 16 inches by 10 inches max)

Thanks!!

Oh excellent job!!! Wonderful pics.
Normally I'm dealing with terrible photos.
Those air cells look absolutely perfect to me, being completely honest.
Can you post a pic of your incubator, and where the heat source and fan are?

 

[Colorfulchickens]

In styrofoam insulation:

Fan and heating elements are under the lid- hard to get a shot.

Very cruddy incubator (newbie mistake), only holds temp and such if enclosed in styrofoam, but seemed to be dialed in for now

 

[MGG]

In styrofoam insulation:
View attachment 2573275

View attachment 2573277View attachment 2573278

Fan and heating elements are under the lid- hard to get a shot.
View attachment 2573279

Very cruddy incubator (newbie mistake), only holds temp and such if enclosed in styrofoam, but seemed to be dialed in for now

Ah ok. Is there a vent in the actual incubator? If so can you drill a hole in the foam right above the vent?

 

[Colorfulchickens]

There are absolutely no holes in incubator. Seems like a very severe design flaw!!! The plastic is completely sealed

 

[MGG]

There are absolutely no holes in incubator. Seems like a very severe design flaw!!! The plastic is completely sealed

Wow! Yeah that is a flaw. Can you drill a hole in the actual incubator somewhere? A small hole.