Anybody else on LOCKDOWN?? Hatch day Aug. 5th!

[NashChic]

6 BBS Ameraucana eggs out of the turner. The bator is in my basement and humidity is around 65% in the room. The bator hygrometer was saying about 50% so I added a small cup of water and it shot up to 77%. I took that out and added a smaller cup of water. Now it's around 60%. Is that high enough? Can you get the humidity TOO high during the last 3 days? I don't want drowned chicks. Day 21 will be Wednesday. I've been running the humidity about 40% during the first 18 days. I've weighed the eggs along the way looking to get an 11-14% weight-loss average by day 18. The average was 13.21% on day 18, so I think I'm pretty good there. We'll see. Our climate is humid and I've read others in my general area have had good luck with the "dry hatch" method, so that's the guidelines I've been going by. I'm just concerned about the humidity the last 3 days. Anyone have ANY thoughts?

 

[ranchhand]

I know there has been success using both methods. At this point it sounds like you are doing fine. Don't open the bator for anything and GOOD LUCK!

Happy Hatching!

 

[Raven1]

Hi I'm on lock down also due 6th I have 10 BC Marans in from Ruth I am running about 65% right now. You can drown them at this stage so don't let your % go up mine will come down before the end of the day to about 50% and stay there so good luck and good hatching vibes for both of us!

 

[gocrow77]

I have the exact same hatch date as you for some of my eggs - I'm working on building up my flock of Brahmas. They have been seen rocking today. I bumped my humidity yesterday to get it into the 50's. 50% - 60% seems to work well for me.

Best Wishes on your hatch!

Aimee

 

[NashChic]

Wheww! Okay, I feel better now. I felt like I should aim for the 60s and shy away from the high 70s. I have panic attacks about both drowned chicks and shrink-wrapped chicks.

As a first timer, I have no idea what will work. Good luck to you guys that are sharing these lockdown days with me. Hopefully we can keep each other encouraged!

 

[pbjmaker]

I have some eggs due the 6th, 7th, 8th and then some due 5 days after that.

The few I candled today were already working on pipping the aircell so all is well at this point.

Good luck to everyone else.

 

[NashChic]

Okay, I've already broken "lockdown" twice! I've had to open the bator to add water and I'm sure I will again. I'm surprised at how hard it is to keep the humidity up in the 50s/60s in there. That would have to be my only complaint with the Brinsea Octagon 20 Eco, so far. Otherwise, it's a champ! For my next hatch, I might see if DH can drill a small hole in the plastic cover so I could feed a small aquarium hose in there to add water. Do you think that would work? Anyone else have to open the bator during lockdown to manage the humidity?

 

[Barred Rocker]

well I don't really have any choice. My incubator is a homemade still air and the only way I can access the eggs or the water pan is to open it up. I do it quickly and I've never had the temp fluctuate more than a half degree so far. No problems yet.

 

[2txmedics]

ME ME!!!! OVER HERE!!!! *WAVING* IM DUE AUG 7TH...NERVOUS...My turner is off, and eggs out of it, I put a moist towel...Im sitting at 77% humdiity...nervous...nervous...first time ever to do this....am I ok on the humidity???

 

[NashChic]

Quote:
What did you keep your humidity at for the first 18 days? I've heard so many horror stories about drowned chicks, I've been afraid to go in the high 70s. But then again, I've heard just as many about shrink-wrapped chicks due to low humidity. It's my first time too, so I guess I'm shooting blind and hoping for the best