Day 0-15 humidity too high; any fix for final hours?

[Earthlark]

First time incubating (Coturnix quail). Too late, I obtained other hygrometers to test humidity levels and found that built-in incubation hygrometer was way off (probably cause it was stuck). I've read info on humidity levels and seen lots of discussion on it in forums, but haven't yet found anything that discusses solutions if one bungled in the first few weeks.

So I'm curious if there's anything I can do today (day 16) or during hatch to remediate an incubation humidity of 50-65% from day 0 to 15 and improve hatch rate. Or is resisting Death's call futile?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Some people who have too small of air cells will hatch upright instead of laying on the side. Using egg cartons or maybe a turner that's turned off. It has it's own risks, like not seeing a pip near the bottom. but might be worth looking into for you.

But some people do successfully hatch despite their humidity being too high.. it isn't as key as correct temperature and there can be a much wider margin of error.

 

[Earthlark]

Some people who have too small of air cells will hatch upright instead of laying on the side. Using egg cartons or maybe a turner that's turned off. It has it's own risks, like not seeing a pip near the bottom. but might be worth looking into for you.

Great to know! Just the kind of tips I'm looking for. I have a few plastic cartons that I might work for pip clarity. I have quail egg cartons, but I wonder if chicken egg cartons wouldn't be best to give the hatchling less resistance when trying to break through... And maybe I'll turn half (18) upright and let half lie to see if there's any difference in the success rate.

Glad to know there's hope either way.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Great to know! Just the kind of tips I'm looking for. I have a few plastic cartons that I might work for pip clarity. I have quail egg cartons, but I wonder if chicken egg cartons wouldn't be best to give the hatchling less resistance when trying to break through... And maybe I'll turn half (18) upright and let half lie to see if there's any difference in the success rate.

Glad to know there's hope either way.

Look into it.. since I haven't done it I'm not sure if there is a type of carton that is best or if they have bottoms cut out type thing.

There is almost always hope... Life finds a way!

 

[jackievonn]

First time incubating (Coturnix quail). Too late, I obtained other hygrometers to test humidity levels and found that built-in incubation hygrometer was way off (probably cause it was stuck). I've read info on humidity levels and seen lots of discussion on it in forums, but haven't yet found anything that discusses solutions if one bungled in the first few weeks.

So I'm curious if there's anything I can do today (day 16) or during hatch to remediate an incubation humidity of 50-65% from day 0 to 15 and improve hatch rate. Or is resisting Death's call futile?

What was your final result? I have the same issue with my incubator. The hygrometer is staying at 49%... perfect! Except it isn't really 49% Yesterday I checked with another hygrometer and the humidity was 75%!!!! I was on day 12 with chicken eggs. I have taken out a lot of water and the sponge and today the humidity is about 45% What should I do? How did yours turn out?

 

[Earthlark]

What was your final result? I have the same issue with my incubator. The hygrometer is staying at 49%... perfect! Except it isn't really 49% Yesterday I checked with another hygrometer and the humidity was 75%!!!! I was on day 12 with chicken eggs. I have taken out a lot of water and the sponge and today the humidity is about 45% What should I do? How did yours turn out?

You could try doing as recommended by EggSighted4Life:

Some people who have too small of air cells will hatch upright instead of laying on the side. Using egg cartons or maybe a turner that's turned off. It has it's own risks, like not seeing a pip near the bottom. but might be worth looking into for you.

But some people do successfully hatch despite their humidity being too high.. it isn't as key as correct temperature and there can be a much wider margin of error.

Unfortunately (and fortunately) I ended up not doing this experiment because just as I was preparing to set the eggs upright, one started to hatch, so I figured it was better to leave the cover on.

In the end I had a 75% hatch rate. A few chicks hatched a few days late and didn't make it as they were stuck in their shells... I suppose shrink-wrapped from taking all the other chicks out... Anyway, 75% is pretty decent considering I screwed up a bit and this is first time.

Hope you have success as well!!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Yesterday I checked with another hygrometer and the humidity was 75%!!!! I was on day 12 with chicken eggs

At that humidity.. I have heavy condensation on my bator window. Keeping track of egg weight or checking air cell growth is a fantastic way monitor if humidity needs adjusting or not.

In the end I had a 75% hatch rate. A few chicks hatched a few days late and didn't make it as they were stuck in their shells

That's pretty good!

Late hatchers often don't make it... they may be weaker than others even without opening the bator top.