Eggs at different stages in an incubator

[northfield]

I have an Octagon 20 and I have eggs that are due to hatch just over a week apart, will putting the Incy into lockdown give the 2nd eggs any issues? I've also struggled to keep humidity up, any tips appreciated!!?

 

[BobDBirdDog]

You may need to add a damp sponge or rag in the incubator to help keep the humidity stabilized. I do not know anything about your model or any others for that matter, but fighting humidity sounds like to much fresh air coming into the unit thus letting the humidity out. You do need fresh air coming in, but so much and not to the point it effects your needed settings.

As for the lock down thing, in your case, I would ignore lock down (with discretion), meaning only on have to basis. If you need to go in and add water, fine-.if you need to hand turn next weeks eggs fine. But when you start to see pips in the eggs, pay more attention to lock down and resist urges to open the door, especially if you are still having trouble with humidity. Egg turning can hold off for a day or two in the later stage in most cases.

during PIP the chicks inside the egg have exposed the inner membrane of the egg to the outside air (ever so slightly) as to take in more oxygen. If that membrane dries out they will have a hard time zipping as that membrane turns into a latex like glove. It may even shrink wrap/cocoon the chick in the egg and it will not be able to move to zip out, thus suffocate in the egg.

 

[northfield]

Thank you, that's a great help

 

[MN Chicken]

I'm glad this was posted today. I was wondering the same thing. I have 2 sets 4 days apart, and originally was going to set a separate hatching incubator to move the first eggs to, but now I am considering just leaving the second set in while the first set hatches. The extra humidity might be beneficial because 4 out of 7 of the second set of eggs have huge air cells (day 14-18 day size and it is only day 8...they came that way shipped and I have been fighting the large cells the whole time). I hope this is the right choice.

 

[lazy gardener]

Are you able to be home to keep an eye on your bator? If so, you could delay lock down until you get signs of hatching being imminent: eggs rocking, cheeping, first pip. Then you could immediately boost the humidity, and you should be good to go with both batches.

 

[MN Chicken]

Are you able to be home to keep an eye on your bator? If so, you could delay lock down until you get signs of hatching being imminent: eggs rocking, cheeping, first pip. Then you could immediately boost the humidity, and you should be good to go with both batches.

I am home all day every day, and watch probably more than I should. I will try this method!