Day 17 of incubation, temp of incubator low and humidity too high?

[lbogner]

I am working on my first hatch from my breed flock of chickens. It is day 17. I have read so many articles and researched as much as possible. Everything seems to be moving along just fine, but I just realized today my incubator
(Hovabator 2370) may have actually been running at about 97.5 the entire incubation period so far. I was going by the external temp reading and checking with one other thermometer inside which read 99, but today I got a new thermometer which I feel is more accurate and it says 97.5 internal temp.
Of further concern, I realized a couple of days ago, the air cells looked more like a 7-9 day egg. My humidity had been between 50-55. I started running it dry about 2 days ago and the air cells appear to be increasing a bit. I see everything I have read that Im supposed to see when I candled a couple of the eggs tonight. veins and some movement.
Questions: 1. should I increase the incubator temperature this late in the game.
2. Should I keep running the incubator "dry" (which gives me a humidity reading of about 28-30 percent) at the time of lockdown tomorrow night and throughout the hatch due to small air cells?
Thanks for your help

 

[lbogner]

Here is a photo of two of the 17 day eggs. I saw them moving a lot when I candled.

Thanks

 

[Punkybrewster]

I personally would leave the temp alone, run it dry.
But, once you see an external pip, bump the humidity up to 55-65. They need that for hatching.
Those air cells are small and if the temp was truly that low you may have a poor hatch. But who knows. It may end up being awesome

 

[lbogner]

Thank you punkybrewster! The info and confirmation of what I thought helps.
I have a feeling I have ruined this batch but since they are alive and we came this far maybe there’s a chance?
I’m an nicu RN, who ever thought hatching chicks would make me sweat almost as much as doing that job !
do you think they may hatch late due to the lower temp? Doing what you said and think this is sound advice. Keep you-posted thanks!

 

[Punkybrewster]

I could tell you stories of so many awful incubator disasters that i was sure none would hatch but did.
It comes with experience. The more you do, the wiser you become. Please update what happens.

 

[Punkybrewster]

If the temp was low, they may hatch a day or 2 late so be aware of this.

 

[lbogner]

I appreciate your input more than you know!
Truth, there is no teacher like experience.
I will wait patiently.
I am locking down tonight, as I candled for the last time I noticed one egg felt slightly wet and appears shiny. I don’t see any crack in it. Should I take it out or leave it?
I noticed earlier in the day humidity had gone up a few degrees, although I hadn’t added any water. Maybe this egg is the reason.
Perhaps this one is cracked and I just can’t see it?

 

[ChickNanny13]

If that egg felt "wet" it's probably not good. Did you candle it again before lock down? I would remove it or you can keep a very close eye on it. Sweating eggs are "dead" and if it's started to rot, it will explode in the incubator. Contaminating the rest of the eggs & very stinky to clean up. I had a goose egg "explode" in an incubator

 

[Punkybrewster]

Yea. Take it out. Does it smell?

 

[lbogner]

I was able
To see a chick moving in there quite vigorously. I have removed the egg turner last night, but left that one. It didn’t feel wet at the time I candled after asking what to do about it.
I will sure keep an eye on it. It didn’t smell either. my overall impression upon final candeling is that some of these chicks
Look small compared to reference photos I’ve found for eggs of a similar age. If that’s true it’s Probably due to the possibility it was running at 97.5 methinks. Not much to do now but wait and pray. Thanks for your expertise so much!