A chick is pipping but humidity is dropping

[Pamv]

Help, I woke up this morning and saw that my chick was pipping. I saw a small crack. The humidity was around 60-65% the whole day. He has started to unzip very very slowly. More than 12 hours and not much progression but I hear him chirping regular through out the day. Now the humidity suddenly dropped to 45%
I really don't want to lift up the cover to add water. What do I do?
Thank you!

 

[FarmerGirl101]

As long as it isn't open for too long you'll be fine to lift it open to add more water. It is better for a slight dip in temp and humidity while adding the water than having a chick get shrink wrapped since the humidity just kept going down.

 

[SnackMeat]

I've found shrink wrap, so long as the chick has popped already and can get oxygen to not be nearly as big of a concern as I thought in the beginning. There's a thread about assisted hatching that can be worthwhile.

However you can move the incubator to the bathroom and run the shower for steam, or boil some water and have it near the incubator. Worst case a wet towel thrown over yourself and the incubator while you lift the lid and add water would be another way to do it.


But I think you'll be fine assuming you are regularly checking on progress and have decided what to do after so much time if there hasn't been progress.

 

[Pamv]

As long as it isn't open for too long you'll be fine to lift it open to add more water. It is better for a slight dip in temp and humidity while adding the water than having a chick get shrink wrapped since the humidity just kept going down.

Thank you.I followed your advice and decided to open quickly for like 5 sec to add water before I went to bed and this morning I woke up to this.

 

[Pamv]

I've found shrink wrap, so long as the chick has popped already and can get oxygen to not be nearly as big of a concern as I thought in the beginning. There's a thread about assisted hatching that can be worthwhile.

However you can move the incubator to the bathroom and run the shower for steam, or boil some water and have it near the incubator. Worst case a wet towel thrown over yourself and the incubator while you lift the lid and add water would be another way to do it.


But I think you'll be fine assuming you are regularly checking on progress and have decided what to do after so much time if there hasn't been progress.

Thank you for your advice. 2 out of 5 hatched successfully this morning.

 

[SnackMeat]

Keep in mind them walking on that grate can cause walking issues or exacerbate leg issues. When you grab them (when they start knocking in to your other eggs) I would lay down some paper towels so it can let through humidity but give them some traction.