Brinsea Incubator Octagon 20 Advance EX

[ChickensInMyYard]

Hello all! I'm setting up my Octagon 20 Advance EX Upgrade Incubator. It has the humidity pump which is working well. My first question is, has anyone used the Periodic Incubation Cooling? It says that they recommend daily cooling periods from day 7 through to 2 days before hatch day. I have the option to set it for 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 or 360 minutes cooling. The cooling period will go off every 24 hours. Now it says 2 hours per day is the recommended time for smaller poultry, waterfowl and game birds. And 3 hours for larger species eggs (e.g. duck and goose). I'll be hatch Orpingtons so I'm looking at 2 hours a day starting on day 7.
And secondly, how crowded can the eggs be? Can they touch each other or should there be a small space between the eggs?
Third question, what are you setting your humidity at through out the incubation period? It says 40-50% RH.

Thanks,
ChickensInMyYard

 

[Habibs Hens]

i have the same bator

im not using the cooling and i have 12 orps in there

im doing a detached air sell incubation so they are standing on end but if you lat them flat with the flat slightly higher then touching is fine infact mine are touching

my humidity is set at 40% but you do what is best for your location