Adding sponges at lockdown

[Specter]

Its day 18 (count down says 3 days before hatch day), the Brinsea Mini Advanced shuts off when the counter hits 2 days. I had to go into lockdown about 1:30 PM today because one of the eggs was chirping. I have filled the reservoirs to the brim.

My concern is decreased water levels before Wednesday. If the humidity goes too low before all the eggs hatch, is it ok to lift the edge just far enough open to slide in natural wet sponges to get the humidity back up to 65%+???

 

[HugHess]

Its day 18 (count down says 3 days before hatch day), the Brinsea Mini Advanced shuts off when the counter hits 2 days. I had to go into lockdown about 1:30 PM today because one of the eggs was chirping. I have filled the reservoirs to the brim.

My concern is decreased water levels before Wednesday. If the humidity goes too low before all the eggs hatch, is it ok to lift the edge just far enough open to slide in natural wet sponges to get the humidity back up to 65%+??

I would do it quickly with a very warm sponge, I was told to use distilled water, as well.
I have read that as long as you don't have external pips prior to opening your incubator, you should be alright. If you already have external pips, then just do it with enough warmth and moisture in the sponge to help combat what you lose lifting the lid.
Then keep an eye on your humidity, making sure that it rebounds in a timely manner.
The chicks hatching will help raise and should better stabilize that level, hopefully enough so that you can sit back and enjoy the show.
Best wishes for a healthy, happy hatch!

 

[PD-Riverman]

Its day 18 (count down says 3 days before hatch day), the Brinsea Mini Advanced shuts off when the counter hits 2 days. I had to go into lockdown about 1:30 PM today because one of the eggs was chirping. I have filled the reservoirs to the brim.

My concern is decreased water levels before Wednesday. If the humidity goes too low before all the eggs hatch, is it ok to lift the edge just far enough open to slide in natural wet sponges to get the humidity back up to 65%+???

The level of the water has very little effect unless its in a tapered container, its more about surface area. You have vent holes I am sure----I would suggest you just add warm water with a straw or tube without opening. Good Luck with your hatch!!

 

[Specter]

Well never-mind!

4 out 5 of the chicks hatched perfectly healthy. The 5th egg has yet to pip and may not be fertile. I don't tend to candle eggs unless I have reason for concern. If still no pip by tomorrow, I will candle it.

For anyone who might be interested, I will provide some information on the hatch below.

- Incubator used Brinsea Mini Advanced

- 4 of the 5 eggs all hatched on day 19 within roughly 8 hours of each others.

- Incubation temperature 99.5 degrees.

- Did NOT set automatic cool down feature.

- Turn angle 8 (100 - 120 degree average rotation)

- Turn time ever 45 minutes.

- Average humidity during incubation estimated 57% (low 50% high 63%)

- Estimated humidity during hatch 75%- 80%

I know everyone thinks 57% is too high. This being my first time incubating I did ample research relying on .edu sources. These would be university agriculture and biology department sources. Being an academic scientist for a major university, I tend to rely upon such sources out of habit. All stated ideal humidity during incubation was 55% - 65%. Some of the non .edu sources cited lower ideal humidity but I relied on the .edu sources. The hatch went great and there were NO ill effects. My gut feeling tells me that as long as humidity remains in the mid to mid/high range, hatches will be fine.

 

[PD-Riverman]

Sounds Good-----a Good hatch. I do not candle the eggs to see what kind of development is happening----I candle Only to remove bad/unfertile eggs. My main candling is day 18 when I am fixing to go into lock-down----all unfertile or bad eggs are removed----less chance of having a rotten egg during the last 3 days.

 

[Arielle]

Well never-mind!

4 out 5 of the chicks hatched perfectly healthy. The 5th egg has yet to pip and may not be fertile. I don't tend to candle eggs unless I have reason for concern. If still no pip by tomorrow, I will candle it.

For anyone who might be interested, I will provide some information on the hatch below.

- Incubator used Brinsea Mini Advanced

- 4 of the 5 eggs all hatched on day 19 within roughly 8 hours of each others.

- Incubation temperature 99.5 degrees.

- Did NOT set automatic cool down feature.

- Turn angle 8 (100 - 120 degree average rotation)

- Turn time ever 45 minutes.

- Average humidity during incubation estimated 57% (low 50% high 63%)

- Estimated humidity during hatch 75%- 80%

I know everyone thinks 57% is too high. This being my first time incubating I did ample research relying on .edu sources. These would be university agriculture and biology department sources. Being an academic scientist for a major university, I tend to rely upon such sources out of habit. All stated ideal humidity during incubation was 55% - 65%. Some of the non .edu sources cited lower ideal humidity but I relied on the .edu sources. The hatch went great and there were NO ill effects. My gut feeling tells me that as long as humidity remains in the mid to mid/high range, hatches will be fine.

Great details!!

On the humidity , use what works. THat is the benefit of candling= you can see the drying of the eggs by how large the air cell is getting. I suspect the early hatch day was because the automatic cool down was not used. IMO the cool down is meant to mimic the hens daily venture to get food and water for herself as my hens seem to like a good hour to preen and fill up.

Nice job on the hatch!!