Anyone hatching Dec 14th? Looking for hatching buddies for 1st hatch!

[4CrazyGirlz]

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I know....I am not sure if I should be more concerned about the temp that I can not get back above 96 or the humdity that is at 78. Any help from someone with a hatch or two under their belts would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

[MTtroutwithwings]

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I know....I am not sure if I should be more concerned about the temp that I can not get back above 96 or the humdity that is at 78. Any help from someone with a hatch or two under their belts would be GREATLY appreciated.

Ok, girls, calm down....keep your temp at the same rate 98-102, the humidity increase is what you want. 75-80% is fine! When they start to hatch the humidity will spike because of the moisture from the egg and wet chick. This too is fine. Just regulate it by pulling plugs one at a time or remove the egg shell and move the chick to your brooder to dry. It won't hurt them. Just cup your hand around them so they don't get chilled. I highly recommend this if you have a still air bator. Circulating air can help dry them but that's what I have and I still move them.

 

[Suechick]

Yes, the humidity will be OK, I think 60-65% is the lowest you want it. I'd keep it below 80% if possible but hatching chicks do spike it some. Also, I've heard that Marans have a tough shell and need higher humidity to hatch than other breeds so, CrazyGirl, I think you're good with what you have. On my last hatch my temps dropped when I went into LD and eventually stabilized.

Rin - I was thinking about your hatch and wondering if your egg source was good? I understand that sometimes people end up inbreeding chickens and then their eggs have really low success rates and lots of deformity problems. It sounds like some of the chicks you had could have had genetic problems which would have been completely out of your control. Just a thought though.

 

[Suechick]

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I love broodys!

Its so amazing how they act so serious about their eggs. Hope she's successful for you!

 

[Spinster_Sister]

Thank you MTtrout and SueChick....I am sure it's funny to read all the anxious postings about humidity, peeps and OMGs!!

 

[Suechick]

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Oh but I can so relate! For my first hatch I was a basket case, that was only a month ago. I decided to try again right away because I thought I got all the kinks worked out the first time. But this time I got really bad eggs from a terrible seller. So, I'm feeling like I need to hatch at least one more time, so I can prove that I CAN get a good hatch rate. LOL It's so easy to justify doing it again, just one more hatch one hurt right?

 

[Eggcellent]

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A couple of things.... I have noticed that when I increase humidity the temperature READINGS on my electronic thermos go down. The glass thermo stays the same. I think something about the humidity affects the electronic thermostats more for some reason.

I usually hatch mine out at 60% humidity. I have a cereal bowl full of water and stuffed with paper towels to get it up to the 60% humidity. I have never really had a problem with it going much over 60% until they start pipping. Do you have any ventilation at all? That could be part of the problem. I would let it sit the way it is... I would be suprised if the humidity doesn't start to creep back down.

 

[Eggcellent]

My pip pics

These were the only 2 I could get because the others are in hard to see spots.

 

[4CrazyGirlz]

LOL!! Thanks ladies! I was doing so well until lock down then everything went crazy!! Hopefully my temp will get back up to where is it suppose to be soon. I don't know how long is too long for it to be under 98 but we are going on a couple of hours now. Thanks for the advice and feel free to laugh all you want.

I am sure I will have another moment or two or ten of panic before this is all over.

We are having a "hatching party" so the pressure is on!!! LOL! I better have something cute and fuzzy Monday or Tuesday

 

[4CrazyGirlz]

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You have a GREAT camera!! Has your wife busted out th Nivea yet tonight?