First time hatch day 21...

[Heraldmom]

So I have been reading reading reading and analyzing this website for the last 21 days since I decided to make my own styrofoam cooler still air bator and bring a few lives into this world. After studying all the information from you fellow bycers my humidity was 40% temp right at 100 until day 18 (well technically 17 I never realized that set day was day 0 ) then the humidity was upped to 65%. Anyhow I have my first pip, eggs a rocking' and singing... My question is how do I make sure there is enough ventilation and IF for some reason the humidity was too high wouldn't the first pip have drowned the chick???

 

[fried green eggs]

Do you have several small air holes added to your cooler? They are important ! I read you need air holes down low for fresh air and on top to allow some heat to escape. Thats the humidity level I stay close to for incubating and for hatching. If you have any that have pipped throught the shell - don't open the cooler. If I remember correctly still air incubators need to run a little higher temp like 101 F deg. Lower temp could make chicks hatch a little late but, sounds like you are doing great. Hope you have a Great Hatch!

 

[Heraldmom]

I do have air holes three on either side top to bottom then two on the back side in the middle on either side of the thermometer. I guess I was just double and triple checking myself... Unfortunately I had to go to work this morning and have to wait ALL day to see if anything is happening! But I guess that's a good thing because if not my nose would be stuck to the glass!!

 

[Heraldmom]

***update***

I now have 5 pipped! My DH is keeping me posted because I am at work. He told me that he thinks he saw one of my three "possible" late embryo death eggs moving too!! So hopefully that means that I candled and saw WRONG. So far I have only removed one egg since the start of this process. Only because I began to smell funky and when I opened it up it had to developed to about day 14??? Guessing because of embryo growth pics I have seen.... Cross your fingers for us!!