Anyone setting 7th / 8th Sept?

[cochins1088]

I have water in there, from what I read about this dry incubation is that you shouldn't let the humidity fall below 25% and you shouldn't let it get above 45%. When I put this one pan of water in, it keeps it at a perfect 35%! And other than my first hatch, I was having the same problem, lots of day 20 quiters, and just recently I found out why. My humidity was too high at like 55%, so 60% would be too high as well. They don't lose enough water weight during the first 18 days, so when they pip the internal membrane, a gush of water meets them and causes them to drown. They pip that internal membrane on day 20, the day before the hatch. So thats why I'm trying this dry incubation so that hopefully I won't have any more day 20 quitters.

 

[cochins1088]

And as far as progess, I tried candling them last night which would be the end of day 3. The only 3 I see good developement in are the three that I collected and put in as a control. If my shipped eggs turn out to be a complete failure, I figure I should complain to the seller. But a seller can simply say that it was your fault and that your incubator could have acted up, but if my eggs are developing perfectly while his are not, that proves the incubator is not at fault. I'm really bummed right now, I won't take any of them out until day 7, but I don't see hardly any development in the shipped eggs and I see blood rings starting to form in many of them. I was really looking forward to those beautiful silver laced cochins.. I hope I'm wrong right now.

 

[Hedgfun]

I was reading a thread on here about humidity, there is such a divide. I think its a case of more do what works best for you. The six pekin eggs I set on the evening of the 7th, I am trialling dry incubation, will keep at around 40/45% for first 18 days then get it to 60% for hatch day.

 

[flcityslicker]

I will be setting tonight. I have 7 "ameraucana" eggs, that someone gave me. I think they are probably EEs though.

 

[novanod1966]

thanks hedgfun, i'm sure the humidity of my previous (disaster hatches) were high from the start. so this time i'm doing like you keep it about 40-50% somewhere within that range. then at lockdown (day 18-21) bump it up about 60-65%. hopefully this time will give me some good numbers.

don

 

[Hedgfun]

Don

that sounds like a plan to me. I will keep you updated! with my progress or lack of hahaha

Peter

 

[Hedgfun]

Flcityslicker

Good luck, those eggs look mighty fine.

 

[flcityslicker]

Flcityslicker

Good luck, those eggs look mighty fine.

Thanks. This is my second time hatching.
I had 4 out of 5 eggs hatch on Labor Day, and 3 of the chicks survived. They are growing like weeds.

 

[cochins1088]

Ohh too cute, that picture is so perfect with the background and how they are posed. What breed are they?

 

[flcityslicker]

They are Silver Penciled Plymouth Rock Bantams.