First lockdown-question

[lutherpug]

First attempt at incubating. Running a Hovabator 1588 with an auto egg turner. Day 1-17 have gone well as far as I can tell. Humidity has mostly been in the 40’s with occasional dips into the high 30’s to low 50’s. I have 5 silkie eggs that look good to my inexperienced eye with the help of Google and BYC. Lockdown starts tonight. My question is about keeping the humidity relatively stable. I have a way to add water to the tray without opening the incubator but I’ve had to add it at regular intervals to keep it in the 40’s which is why I’ve had the aforementioned fluctuations. In hopes of keeping it closer to 65-70% for the next few days, I added a wet sponge in a small bowl on the incubator floor that would allow for water addition through the vent hole in addition to the syringe way that I add water to the tray. Is this detrimental to have in there? I’m sure I’m way overthinking this but it’s my first hatch. Pics attached to help show what I’m trying to describe.

 

[sourland]

It looks as if that should work. Good luck for a successful hatch.

 

[lutherpug]

Thank you! I’m nervous and excited. I have wanted some silkies for a long time.

 

[oregonkat]

First attempt at incubating. Running a Hovabator 1588 with an auto egg turner. Day 1-17 have gone well as far as I can tell. Humidity has mostly been in the 40’s with occasional dips into the high 30’s to low 50’s. I have 5 silkie eggs that look good to my inexperienced eye with the help of Google and BYC. Lockdown starts tonight. My question is about keeping the humidity relatively stable. I have a way to add water to the tray without opening the incubator but I’ve had to add it at regular intervals to keep it in the 40’s which is why I’ve had the aforementioned fluctuations. In hopes of keeping it closer to 65-70% for the next few days, I added a wet sponge in a small bowl on the incubator floor that would allow for water addition through the vent hole in addition to the syringe way that I add water to the tray. Is this detrimental to have in there? I’m sure I’m way overthinking this but it’s my first hatch. Pics attached to help show what I’m trying to describe.

Your set up is fine, keep the sponge moist. Take the vent plugs out, those chicks need the ventilation and fresh air. If possible start using an independent and calibrated (by you) thermometer and hygrometer so you know precisely what is going on in the bator, the instruments that come with incubators are notoriously wrong. Good luck with the hatch and keep posting!

 

[Mosey2003]

Get the plugs out and take that paper towel out too. The eggs need to be sitting right on that wire, it's not gonna hurt their feet. You block the airflow over the water surface when you put something over the wire like that, that will keep your humidity lower and interrupt airflow.

If your house is really dry you can remove the tray and fill the whole bottom of the incubator with water and use canning jar rings to hold the floor up, I do one in each corner and one in the middle.

 

[lutherpug]

Thanks for the replies. The humidity has only fluctuated 1% in 24 hours. It’s running 67-68%. Is it ok to take the plugs out once the eggs pip or should I do it now?

 

[oregonkat]

Thanks for the replies. The humidity has only fluctuated 1% in 24 hours. It’s running 67-68%. Is it ok to take the plugs out once the eggs pip or should I do it now?

Take the plugs out. Remember that humidity relies on surface area so if the channels are covered by anything, it will affect the %'s.

 

[Mosey2003]

Do it now. That's good humidity. Those chicks need oxygen.

 

[lutherpug]

Ok! Thanks everyone

 

[lutherpug]

We have one pip as of this morning