Death

[Incubating4life]

I was putting a water container into an incubator full of 16 day chicken eggs. It slipped out of my hands. I heard a crunch. Then I started screaming. When I gathered the courage to look at the eggs, two were badly cracked. I started screaming again. After looking closer, I screamed again. One was leaking blood, and one was infertile. I tried to save the fertile egg but it was too badly cracked. Any ideas on humidifying incubators without heavy water containers? I usually put them in without tops, but the one pictured down below is for retaining heat.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I use standard water bottles to retain heat. I fill with sand or gravel first because they are denser than water and then I use water to fill the space and put the cap back on. I feel it gives me mire bang for my buck.

Sorry for your slip... we ALL have accidents. But screaming just adds a bunch of drama... though I do get the desire!

Is your bator running at 67% humidity on day 16 already? I personally wouldn't be above 45% until day 18, then 65 ish is fine.

You can use the well underneath to humidify the bator. I use lightweight plastic bowls UNTIL lock down... but things still happen, just something different. I had to ditch my surface containers because hatching chicks always seemed to find their way in even if they were tall.

Good luck and happy hatching!

 

[Incubating4life]

I use standard water bottles to retain heat. I fill with sand or gravel first because they are denser than water and then I use water to fill the space and put the cap back on. I feel it gives me mire bang for my buck.

Sorry for your slip... we ALL have accidents. But screaming just adds a bunch of drama... though I do get the desire!

Is your bator running at 67% humidity on day 16 already? I personally wouldn't be above 45% until day 18, then 65 ish is fine.

You can use the well underneath to humidify the bator. I use lightweight plastic bowls UNTIL lock down... but things still happen, just something different. I had to ditch my surface containers because hatching chicks always seemed to find their way in even if they were tall.

Good luck and happy hatching!

The humidity was too high

 

[Incubating4life]

I use standard water bottles to retain heat. I fill with sand or gravel first because they are denser than water and then I use water to fill the space and put the cap back on. I feel it gives me mire bang for my buck.

Sorry for your slip... we ALL have accidents. But screaming just adds a bunch of drama... though I do get the desire!

Is your bator running at 67% humidity on day 16 already? I personally wouldn't be above 45% until day 18, then 65 ish is fine.

You can use the well underneath to humidify the bator. I use lightweight plastic bowls UNTIL lock down... but things still happen, just something different. I had to ditch my surface containers because hatching chicks always seemed to find their way in even if they were tall.

Good luck and happy hatching!

Thanks

 

[Incubating4life]

A local farmer told us the humidity would be fine at 45 to 55 degrees celcius, but i'll keep it at 45 degrees. Thanks for the advice!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

The humidity was too high

You mean when you use the wells?

When I start my incubator, I run it completely dry until stable and see what the humidity is running at... it varies by season with our ambient humidity. Then I *may* add water to one well at a time, giving a couple hours in between to stabilize and get an accurate read out.

Have you candled to see your development or air cells yet? You will want to get rid of any you can tell aren't developing or have quit before going into lock down if you can.

Very exciting!

 

[Ragna]

I love chickens... I am chicken crazy in the head... This was a very dark post

 

[Incubating4life]

You mean when you use the wells?

When I start my incubator, I run it completely dry until stable and see what the humidity is running at... it varies by season with our ambient humidity. Then I *may* add water to one well at a time, giving a couple hours in between to stabilize and get an accurate read out.

Have you candled to see your development or air cells yet? You will want to get rid of any you can tell aren't developing or have quit before going into lock down if you can.

Very exciting!

Sometimes the humidity goes up for unknown reasons, which is weird. I use wells too. Yes, I have candled and thrown out the dead or infertile eggs.

 

[Incubating4life]

I love chickens... I am chicken crazy in the head... This was a very dark post

Yup.

 

[drumstick diva]

sorry