Advice please to worried newbie

[IsleofWightGirls]

Ok, here goes.

We have a dozen bantam eggs in our incubator, this is the first time we've used it. Read all the destructions and done everything as properly as we thought best at the time! been reading lots since the time of setting bator up etc and some information has been different.

Anyhow, it's day 20 and it seems only 3 are rocking, and they've been rocking for a couple days on and off is this normal? when should they start rocking, do all eggs that hatch start rocking a few days before? what signs should I be looking for?

Sorry if I sound completely thick but i'm so nervous, worried and concerned i'm doing the best for them and giving them the best chance.

Any advice is welcomed, temp is at 37.7C and humidity is 75%

 

[patyrdz]

Rocking is normal! Some rock, and some don't. If you have not removed the red plugs, remove them now, the humidity is a little high. Do not open the incubator until the hatch is done. Just sit back, watch and enjoy! Good luck!

 

[IsleofWightGirls]

Thank you for your speedy reply!

Too high? This is why i'm confused

i've read so much different information that has varied considerably, some saying 55% and others saying 80%

what is the ideal humidity level?

 

[patyrdz]

I like to keep mine under 70%, but everyone is different! Some like it around 50%! I know it is confusing. But a happy medium would be 65%! Don't worry, if the eggs are rocking you are doing fine! Just remove the plug for air flow.

 

[IsleofWightGirls]

Thank you Patty

i'm so impatient lol

 

[Ferngully]

I think the reason you see such a variance in recommended humidity levels is based on location and season of the person incubating.

My hatching humidity in Florida at this time of year would not necessarily work for someone in Colorado or Nevada or Israel or the UK.

Just give it your best shot, and

 

[IsleofWightGirls]

We have a chick! and one more is pipping

 

[IsleofWightGirls]

This little chick is soooooooooooo loud

it is moving about the bator, no conideration for it's sleeping buddies

it cheeps, has a mooch about then sleeps for a min, is this normal chick behaviour?

so excited it's unreal

 

[Ferngully]

Congratulations.

This is normal behavior for new hatches. Run around, sleep, run around. Peep. (I think the peeping encourages everybody else to come out and play)

Hope you get alot more babies to nuzzle.

 

[IsleofWightGirls]

Thank you Ferngully, we have a little head poking out as we speak