First hatch, would like some hand-holding, please. NOT an emergency!

[Akane]

The count looks fine. I count with 1 starting the next day as of the time I set them so 24hrs later is 1, 48hrs is 2, and so on... So go down the calender 3 rows to the same day of the week you set them and you have day 21 as of the time you set them. Then mine usually pip within 12hrs before or after that time.

I only cut the bottom out for bantams so they don't have as high of edge to climb over. It isn't really necessary especially with cardboard cartons since they'll breathe some.

Isn't the 1588 a forced air? If so the temp is fine. If not I'd probably have it 1 degree higher but at this point it's not going to make a huge difference. Odds are if you try to tap it up you'll just get some insane spike like 104F when you look at it tomorrow and then you'll really panic.

Humidity is pretty much perfect. That's normally what I aim for on day 18 and it will spike when they start hatching. I actually kinda liked this hatch where I had it a little higher so I had to pull the vent plugs (62% after pulling both vent plugs) but I didn't have to worry about adding water before they finished hatching. It did come close to getting too high though when I had a dozen pipped eggs and 1 hatched. 65% seems perfect for hatching in my hova.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
I only have one vent plug, and I thought I'd leave it out until I go to bed- which ought to be about 4 minutes from now. It is a forced air, but it's been rock steady on 100 F until I took the turner out last night, when it dropped to 99 F. Now it has gone to 98 F. I won't try to change it because I am NOT going to open it until I have have dry babies all over. (I have a tube and syringe for adding water- which is a moot point right now, LOL)

Thanks for the moral support and guidance!

 

[RonnieAtkeson]

Ive got 6 hatched so far, this is too cool. I got two more togo. One is zipping and the other is starting. I think im gonna get a 100% hatch rate, course out of 8 eggs that may not be impressive to some people

 

[miss_jayne]

anything to report today?

 

[RonnieAtkeson]

I probly just did before you posted. Quick ? though, how long can the chicka's stay in the incubator. I got 6 out and 2 to go. One hatched 3 hatched yesterady and 3 today. Also will a high humidity prevent them from drying? Its been going up as the chicks are popping out. Probly in the 70s now (they knocked over hydromter). How long does it usualy take a chick to dry, these guys are so cute cant wait to get them out. My wife said my daughter was hovering over the incubator at 5:30 am after i left lol.

 

[miss_jayne]

Quote:
they dry in a few hours. leave the bator closed until the hatch is complete. HANDS OFF. they can be in there for up to three days.
the humidity will not prevent them from drying.

ranchhand...anything happening for your hatch? are things still stable?

 

[RonnieAtkeson]

Oh I swears im just sittin on my hands when i look through that bator window, no matter how much i want to open it

I aint gonna chance the other 2 not making it cause i had to open bator. Thanks for the advice. So 3 days, thats good to know. Thanks Mrs Jane

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
they dry in a few hours. leave the bator closed until the hatch is complete. HANDS OFF. they can be in there for up to three days.
the humidity will not prevent them from drying.

ranchhand...anything happening for your hatch? are things still stable?



The incubator is more stable than I am at this point!

No, lazy day here.

It was still only 98 degrees this am, so I put a pink flannel blanket around the left side, with a bit on the top half. I'm hoping the pink flannel will encourage the girls...
So it's 99, with 61% humidity right now- and I only go look 4 every hours!

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Looking good, RonnieA, send those hatching vibes this way when you're done with them!

 

[Opa]

Try leaving the room that the incubator is in. It will be much easier if you stay away from it. What ever you do DONT open it until they are done. You can't help them. Some worry about hatched chicks stepping of the unhatched ones. No big deal. Leave them alone. DONT help