First incubation coming soon, I am nervous! :D

[VlkStinu]

You don’t want to close off the gaps. The eggs need oxygen. Honestly if it were me I would just dry incubate them, but that’s me. You will find as many opinions on how to incubate eggs as there are members on BYC. You need to use an independent salt tested hygrometer. Look up how to salt test it is easy to do.

Thank you, I've realized that it is not the way to go. I was just totally perplexed by the humidity not going up... Now I know that the meter was completely off and I just don't know why. I placed a small digital hygrometer in the incubator and it immediately showed 70% humidity - I knew it must have been way more due to the water condensation build-up on the lid. So what happened yesterday is that after I learned this, I took off the duct tape, enlarged the gaps under the lid, and very quickly wiped off the water from inside the lid. What that did was drive the humidity down to 60%, later on slightly below 60% and in the morning, I found the value is still on 60%, which progressively changed today to 53-55%, which is the optimal value.
I am beating myself for not doing this sooner, but shit happens I guess... The high 70% humidity was there for about the first 4-5 hours, then the 60% throughout the night. So I am just hoping it wasn't too much and too long to ruin the eggs.
One of the largest eggs that didn't fit into the socket and was blocking the lid is laid horizontally on the rack and is still somewhat turning with the rest, but I don't know what chances it has in this position and if it's turning enough. Some of the other eggs are rather large too and they slightly collide with the lid during turning, but they still turn, so I am hoping this isn't a problem.
Overall, I feel really bummed out by screwing things like this... I don't know what chances this batch has. For now, my plan is to see how the eggs are doing on day 7 after candling them. In the meantime, I will continue to collect more fresh eggs (if the hens will be still laying - the reason why I am bummed out so much is that I have only two laying hens and they are ex-battery and I am not sure how long they will be laying - 13 eggs that I've collected is a lot and if it fails, it will be such a shame...) and if things go wrong, I will buy a new incubator and start things over.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Thank you, I've realized that it is not the way to go. I was just totally perplexed by the humidity not going up... Now I know that the meter was completely off and I just don't know why. I placed a small digital hygrometer in the incubator and it immediately showed 70% humidity - I knew it must have been way more due to the water condensation build-up on the lid. So what happened yesterday is that after I learned this, I took off the duct tape, enlarged the gaps under the lid, and very quickly wiped off the water from inside the lid. What that did was drive the humidity down to 60%, later on slightly below 60% and in the morning, I found the value is still on 60%, which progressively changed today to 53-55%, which is the optimal value.
I am beating myself for not doing this sooner, but shit happens I guess... The high 70% humidity was there for about the first 4-5 hours, then the 60% throughout the night. So I am just hoping it wasn't too much and too long to ruin the eggs.
One of the largest eggs that didn't fit into the socket and was blocking the lid is laid horizontally on the rack and is still somewhat turning with the rest, but I don't know what chances it has in this position and if it's turning enough. Some of the other eggs are rather large too and they slightly collide with the lid during turning, but they still turn, so I am hoping this isn't a problem.
Overall, I feel really bummed out by screwing things like this... I don't know what chances this batch has. For now, my plan is to see how the eggs are doing on day 7 after candling them. In the meantime, I will continue to collect more fresh eggs (if the hens will be still laying - the reason why I am bummed out so much is that I have only two laying hens and they are ex-battery and I am not sure how long they will be laying - 13 eggs that I've collected is a lot and if it fails, it will be such a shame...) and if things go wrong, I will buy a new incubator and start things over.

Every incubation is a learning experience.
Don’t be so hard on yourself. We have all been there.
The first time I incubated eggs, I used one of those cheap yellow incubators from Amazon and new absolutely nothing. These inexpensive incubators are horrible at holding humidity.
All is not lost, just keep track of your temp and humidity, candle your eggs and see how it goes.
I do not know which brand you have but for future reference, the Nurture Right 360 is an excellent incubator with many positive reviews from folks here on BYC.

 

[VlkStinu]

Every incubation is a learning experience.
Don’t be so hard on yourself. We have all been there.
The first time I incubated eggs, I used one of those cheap yellow incubators from Amazon and new absolutely nothing. These inexpensive incubators are horrible at holding humidity.
All is not lost, just keep track of your temp and humidity, candle your eggs and see how it goes.
I do not know which brand you have but for future reference, the Nurture Right 360 is an excellent incubator with many positive reviews from folks here on BYC.

Thank you. I tend to be very hard on myself and I felt like such a failure after this experience. I was preparing for it for so long...

This one is a brandless Chinese incubator - but the rather high-end one as it got all the possible functions it can have. It just failed at showing the right humidity and the lid is just too low for some of the larger eggs.

I will keep monitoring the eggs and see how they are doing on day 7. That will decide a lot I suppose. Until then, I will keep collecting eggs (collected two today as my hens synchronized in laying) and will select a new incubator that I will buy, in case this one will fail.

Nurture Right 360 is unfortunately not possible to buy here, but there are some nice alternatives to it.

 

[VlkStinu]

So I just ordered a new incubator - much more expensive than I initially planned, but this one is really bulletproof and high quality. For all egg sizes, with automatic turning and also automatic humidity regulation, which will come in very handy.

I was thinking I could perhaps move the eggs from the incubator I have now into the new incubator as soon as it comes (probably on Tuesday, which will be the 4th day for the eggs) as it might increase the chances of successful hatching. Then I could put in the new batch once I finish collecting the eggs (which should be next Tuesday), reset the day counter, and when the lockdown would come for the first batch, I could move them back to the old incubator for the final 3 days, while I would keep incubating the new batch in the new incubator for the whole duration of the incubation. It's a bit elaborate plan, but I am thinking why not...

 

[peepdaddy]

So I just ordered a new incubator - much more expensive than I initially planned, but this one is really bulletproof and high quality. For all egg sizes, with automatic turning and also automatic humidity regulation, which will come in very handy.

I was thinking I could perhaps move the eggs from the incubator I have now into the new incubator as soon as it comes (probably on Tuesday, which will be the 4th day for the eggs) as it might increase the chances of successful hatching. Then I could put in the new batch once I finish collecting the eggs (which should be next Tuesday), reset the day counter, and when the lockdown would come for the first batch, I could move them back to the old incubator for the final 3 days, while I would keep incubating the new batch in the new incubator for the whole duration of the incubation. It's a bit elaborate plan, but I am thinking why not...

I have been a member of BYC for many years but for the past several years I've had little presence on the site. I have been incubating and hatching eggs for several years and when I found this thread I decided to share my experience and thoughts. Generally speaking, my hatch success rate tends to be around 90%. My incubators are an old "Farm Innovators" styrofoam incubator I found at a yard sale for $10.00 and a homemade one I built myself.
First of all you need to set yourself up for success. You need good hens that lay healthy eggs and a trustworthy rooster that you know will successfully fertilize the eggs. Before you start collecting the eggs stabilize the temp and humidity in your incubator (do try to place the incubator in an area of your home that has a relatively consistent temp and humidity, if possible). Collect your eggs 2-3 times daily (especially in cold weather) so that the eggs aren't unnecessarily exposed to environmental stresses of rapid temp changes, rain, etc. Store the eggs in a room temp environment. I try to set eggs that are as fresh as possible (3-5 days old). I store my eggs in paper egg cartons and tilt the egg carton side to side by propping up one side of the carton with a book, etc., once or twice each day.
When I have the number of eggs I want I place them in the incubator, in an automatic egg turner, all at the same time. The temperature is kept at as close to 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit as possible. If you have a way to calibrate your thermometer then by all means do so. I don't have a calibrated thermometer and neither of my incubators have trustworthy temperature gages. Therefore, when stabilizing my incubator I try placing several different thermometers (mercury, digital, etc.) in the incubators at the same time and will often get several different readings. I eliminate the ones that have the most extreme readings then choose the one I trust most from the remainder. Even then the temp in each incubator tends to constantly vary. Both of my incubators have clear plexiglass viewing windows and I use these to fine tune the temp by using pieces of 1/2 inch styrofoam sheets to cover varying amounts of the windows to raise and lower the temp as needed.
I do have a hygrometer and use this to measure the humidity. I adjust the humidity with moist sponges. Again, I use varying size sponges to get the correct humidity.
Check the incubator several times a day and adjust as needed. Try not to fret over the temp and humidity too much. During incubation my incubators are inconsistent with the temp, at times varying from 97.5 degrees to as high as 102 degrees and the humidity varying from 30-60% but the eggs still hatch. Obviously, the closer you can keep the conditions inside the incubator to ideal the better your results will be. My point is, don't let your worry rob you of the fun of incubating. An occasional variation in temp and humidity won't necessarily doom your hatch to failure.
My method of incubating may not work for everyone but it works well for me. Over the last 2 days I successfully hatched 13 of 14 eggs!

 

[VlkStinu]

I have been a member of BYC for many years but for the past several years I've had little presence on the site. I have been incubating and hatching eggs for several years and when I found this thread I decided to share my experience and thoughts. Generally speaking, my hatch success rate tends to be around 90%. My incubators are an old "Farm Innovators" styrofoam incubator I found at a yard sale for $10.00 and a homemade one I built myself.
First of all you need to set yourself up for success. You need good hens that lay healthy eggs and a trustworthy rooster that you know will successfully fertilize the eggs. Before you start collecting the eggs stabilize the temp and humidity in your incubator (do try to place the incubator in an area of your home that has a relatively consistent temp and humidity, if possible). Collect your eggs 2-3 times daily (especially in cold weather) so that the eggs aren't unnecessarily exposed to environmental stresses of rapid temp changes, rain, etc. Store the eggs in a room temp environment. I try to set eggs that are as fresh as possible (3-5 days old). I store my eggs in paper egg cartons and tilt the egg carton side to side by propping up one side of the carton with a book, etc., once or twice each day.
When I have the number of eggs I want I place them in the incubator, in an automatic egg turner, all at the same time. The temperature is kept at as close to 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit as possible. If you have a way to calibrate your thermometer then by all means do so. I don't have a calibrated thermometer and neither of my incubators have trustworthy temperature gages. Therefore, when stabilizing my incubator I try placing several different thermometers (mercury, digital, etc.) in the incubators at the same time and will often get several different readings. I eliminate the ones that have the most extreme readings then choose the one I trust most from the remainder. Even then the temp in each incubator tends to constantly vary. Both of my incubators have clear plexiglass viewing windows and I use these to fine tune the temp by using pieces of 1/2 inch styrofoam sheets to cover varying amounts of the windows to raise and lower the temp as needed.
I do have a hygrometer and use this to measure the humidity. I adjust the humidity with moist sponges. Again, I use varying size sponges to get the correct humidity.
Check the incubator several times a day and adjust as needed. Try not to fret over the temp and humidity too much. During incubation my incubators are inconsistent with the temp, at times varying from 97.5 degrees to as high as 102 degrees and the humidity varying from 30-60% but the eggs still hatch. Obviously, the closer you can keep the conditions inside the incubator to ideal the better your results will be. My point is, don't let your worry rob you of the fun of incubating. An occasional variation in temp and humidity won't necessarily doom your hatch to failure.
My method of incubating may not work for everyone but it works well for me. Over the last 2 days I successfully hatched 13 of 14 eggs!

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this message - it really lifted my spirits and gave me some hope! I was beating myself still for messing up. Of course, I have no idea how things will go, I won't know until the first candling - but your message really brought some light. I did my best with collecting and storing the eggs, but then the incubator problems took me by surprise. I imagine the temperature and humidity are somewhat fluctuating as well, though I try to keep it as stable as possible. I was a bit worried about the first few hours when the humidity was so high (70%), but hopefully, it didn't have any negative effect. I am also not sure how the horizontally placed egg is doing. However, I ordered the new incubator and I plan to move all the eggs into it as soon as it comes, which will increase the chances of success. Either way, I keep collecting new eggs and plan to do a second batch midway (using the new incubator).
Your point is great and I totally agree, I know I shouldn't let my worry ruin the experience for me, but I just can't help it... It's just the way my mind works. :/ Anyways, I did my best, will continue to do so and I hope I will get to see my first chicks. Thank you so much again for your encouraging message, it really took some of the weight off my shoulders. I truly appreciate it!

 

[peepdaddy]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this message - it really lifted my spirits and gave me some hope! I was beating myself still for messing up. Of course, I have no idea how things will go, I won't know until the first candling - but your message really brought some light. I did my best with collecting and storing the eggs, but then the incubator problems took me by surprise. I imagine the temperature and humidity are somewhat fluctuating as well, though I try to keep it as stable as possible. I was a bit worried about the first few hours when the humidity was so high (70%), but hopefully, it didn't have any negative effect. I am also not sure how the horizontally placed egg is doing. However, I ordered the new incubator and I plan to move all the eggs into it as soon as it comes, which will increase the chances of success. Either way, I keep collecting new eggs and plan to do a second batch midway (using the new incubator).
Your point is great and I totally agree, I know I shouldn't let my worry ruin the experience for me, but I just can't help it... It's just the way my mind works. :/ Anyways, I did my best, will continue to do so and I hope I will get to see my first chicks. Thank you so much again for your encouraging message, it really took some of the weight off my shoulders. I truly appreciate it!

You're very welcome. If you have any questions feel free to ask. I'll help if i can.

 

[VlkStinu]

You're very welcome. If you have any questions feel free to ask. I'll help if i can.

Thank you!

 

[peepdaddy]

Just my thoughts on humidity. The inside of an egg is naturally a high humidity environment. As eggs are incubated, or covered by a hen, some of the moisture inside the egg is lost by evaporation through the porous shell (as well as lost to metabolic processes in the developing chick). If the external (to the egg) environment is too humid then too much moisture is retained inside the egg and causes abnormal chick development including bloated, weak chicks, etc. If the external environment is too dry then too much moisture is lost and this can also cause problems with development and with hatching. I would think that evolution has adapted eggs with mechanisms, to help regulate moisture content, that are effective if the air humidity is kept within reasonable ranges.
I don't think that high humidity would be too damaging if it is limited and only for short periods of time. Over the length of time the eggs are incubated the internal egg environment should correct to normal if the humidity is generally kept at an optimum range.
I don't know if all this is necessarily true but I do know that I have had many successful hatches where the humidity was either too high or too low for short periods. Always try to keep the incubator at ideal conditions but an occasional fluctuation is nearly unavoidable and hopefully won't destroy your hatch.

 

[VlkStinu]

Just my thoughts on humidity. The inside of an egg is naturally a high humidity environment. As eggs are incubated, or covered by a hen, some of the moisture inside the egg is lost by evaporation through the porous shell (as well as lost to metabolic processes in the developing chick). If the external (to the egg) environment is too humid then too much moisture is retained inside the egg and causes abnormal chick development including bloated, weak chicks, etc. If the external environment is too dry then too much moisture is lost and this can also cause problems with development and with hatching. I would think that evolution has adapted eggs with mechanisms, to help regulate moisture content, that are effective if the air humidity is kept within reasonable ranges.
I don't think that high humidity would be too damaging if it is limited and only for short periods of time. Over the length of time the eggs are incubated the internal egg environment should correct to normal if the humidity is generally kept at an optimum range.
I don't know if all this is necessarily true but I do know that I have had many successful hatches where the humidity was either too high or too low for short periods. Always try to keep the incubator at ideal conditions but an occasional fluctuation is nearly unavoidable and hopefully won't destroy your hatch.

Thank you for this message! I was thinking a couple of times about how a natural environment must be often fluctuating and that there must be unavoidable short-period changes in both temperature and humidity. If heavy rains come during incubation, the humidity raises, then there can be drops in temperatures, especially during the night... And a hen can't keep sitting on the clutch 24 hours a day, which an incubator essentially does - keeping the eggs warm all the time. I would be surprised if these values would be kept somewhat constant during the whole duration of the incubation in natural settings.

The new incubator I ordered yesterday will arrive tomorrow, so I will be moving the eggs into the new incubator as soon as I will set it up. I will keep you posted once I will do the candling on day 7!