Dry hatch in high humidity areas?

[JacksonPearce]

I'm in Atlanta, GA, where our natural humidity is nearly always 55%+ (often 60%+). After three rounds of eggs I've had absolutely awful hatch rates. These were shipped eggs, so it's possible the issue began there, but I always wind up with several chicks that make it to lockdown, but then die before hatch. I've opened a few shells up afterward, and most of the chicks seem to be fully formed. I'm wondering if perhaps our high humidity PLUS adding water to the incubator per instructions is simply too much, and there isn't enough air in the airsac when they break through.

I have one more set of eggs with a week to go; I stopped adding water to the incubator last week and am not planning to add anymore until hatch (which, should I even add it then?). Is anyone in my neck of the woods that has had great luck incubating? It's depressing to have lost 24 out of 30 eggs!

 

[WVduckchick]

Definitely too much water. Don't add any until 3 days before hatch.
Monitoring air cells is the best way to gauge if your humidity is too high or too low. Adjustments can be made along the way.

 

[WVduckchick]

By the way, I'm not in your area, but my local humidity is very high also. Incubator maintains 30%+ with no water at all. I don't let it drop below 20-25%, but 30% works great for me.