Doing the dry incubation method, how do I get ready for lockdown?

[sweeterdeeter42]

How do I get ready for lockdown when I am doing the dry incubation method? I start lockdown on Saturday. What do I need to know to do it well?

 

[FOGELLY]

You need to know that although your humidity needs to be at 65% it does not have to be there instantly. In my 1588 hovabator I will add only about a total of a third of a cup of water to the center channel and the next channel. This is total not each. Then I will close the bator and let it level out for several hours before I try to adjust the humidity. Then if it is low I will add the vent plug and wait again for a hour or so, if it is still low I will use a straw and a 3cc syringe (cheap plastic) to add water thru the vent hole then reinstall the plug. I DON'T open the bator during lockdown. During hatch the humidity will go up pretty fast, remove your vent plug and let it come down. You will see that the humidity is easier to adjust if you only add water in small amounts. Also try to let ALL your chicks hatch and dry before you open the bator.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Put water in your incubator and stop turning on day 18 and don't worry about how high the humidity goes. In fact, take the hygrometer out. Chicks can only drown if they have not had enough water loss during the first 18 days. They typically pip the aircell on day 19 or so, then the shell around day 20 and hatch on day 21. Once they pip the shell, the more moisture they have the better.

My best hatches have been when the humidity was up to 75-80% during hatch. Don't open the incubator until they have all hatched. (That's the hardest part)