Day 22, slightly complex incubating scenario

[GretaViolet]

Hello,
I’m new here and new to hatching eggs in an incubator, I’m finding it all a little nerve wracking. I realize already I’ve made my share of mistakes but would welcome your more informed input too.

I’m on day 22 with 3 eggs. Started with 8. One of them was an “extra” the breeder sent that I couldn’t accommodate in my older Brinsea incubator that holds just 7. I originally tried putting the egg under my broody silkie but she ultimately wasn’t interested so despite the odds after I’d done my first candling around 7 days and weeded out the non viable eggs I had a space for that one and placed it in the incubator too. I now know, too many complications with different hatching timetables

The person who shipped me the eggs told me to do a “dry hatch” for the first 18 days then crank up humidity to just 55% for the final 3. Being inexperienced I followed those instructions, and maybe they’re ideal for his southern climate if that matters? I’m in the northwest. Had a thermometer/hygrometer inside and moisture level hovered around 35% with no added water for that first phase. Temp has hovered between 99.5-100.

Yesterday with no signs of oncoming birth I did some reading and realized the humidity for the two original eggs likely needed to be higher. The little water pot I have is an imperfect system but I’ve managed to keep it now between 65-70 percent. I know this is bad news for my poor later orphan egg, who needs lower humidity still while he develops. Gah! Not the first time my bleeding heart has gotten me in trouble!

This morning I candled the two eggs that are slightly overdue. One appears to have died between day 18 and now, no movement at all. The other has internally pipped and is chirping and has what appears to be a big air cell (prob due to the low humidity they were in for 18+ days?) Very little external egg movement though.
Suggestions? Continue to wait it out for the chirper now?

Obviously if the chirper hatches, soon as I remove it I’ll lower the humidity for the remaining egg. Other thoughts for that one?

Thanks a bunch for your feedback.

 

[mcdze]

in my somewhat low experience, humidity level doesnt make or break an egg hatch .. its 80-90% humidity in some tropical places and chickens reproduce just fine .. its an abrupt 'change' in humidity and/or temp right at pip and hatch time that is dangerous ... that said, a chirper at day 22 i'll usually try to make sure has an air hole, just peak under the pipped shell and braek the membrane with the point of a razor .. just a tiny hole if theres not one so it wont possibly suffocate .. and all this should happen in about 20 seconds flat and get him back in the bator .. if he isnt out by tomorrow then id reassess ..

 

[GretaViolet]

Thank you. I’ll try that.