First time hatcher - Setting April 8 or 9 - Now what?

[Theo]

I am on day 6 today.

I read over the instructions for my incubator very carefully, then looked up related posts on humidity, and I am still clueless. Honestly, you'd think there would be some consensus about the issue, but every post I read is different. Yes, I understand that different temperatures, climates, and seasons affect humidity, but the incubator is a contained environment, is it not? So why are some people getting excellent hatches without adding any water during days 1 to 18, others swear by 30% humidity during that time, and others keep the humidity above 50%? It doesn't make sense. It sounds like humidity is irrelevant, which I know is not true.

I found a small hygrometer and put it in: with water added to the inner reservoir of my incubator, the humidity ranges between 35 and 40 per cent. The instructions say to add water a couple times a week, so that's what I'll do. I will add water to both reservoirs prior to lockdown, per the instructions.

Candling--also a bust for me: my little led flashlight is not bright enough to see through brown eggs. However, I am content not to handle the eggs too much. The really really good led flashlights are pretty expensive, too. I thnk I'll just wait and see what hatches in a couple of weeks.

 

[1muttsfan]

Theo, I also don't worry about my brown eggs, love the surprise factor. As for humidity, most incubators have 2 reservoirs, one of which you fill for the first 18 days, then both for the last 3. Unless your house is very dry (like mine right now because it is so cold outside the furnace is still running a lot) your humidity should be fine. You should check the well each day because you do not want it to ever run dry. Humidity is most important during hatch, as dry chicks may not be able to get out of the shell; do not open your incubator unless absolutely nescessary during the last 3 days.

 

[PacsMan]

I'm on day 7. Candled one of my eggs, and I swear I saw something-something moving.
Black dot with veins around it...

Could it be?

Too cool...

 

[1muttsfan]

Yay pacsman good for you! Isn't it great to hold then in your hand and watch them develop?

 

[wowmanacat]

I am almost afraid to candle mine for I might have cooked them yesterday. The temp got to 110 while I was out and I have no idea how long it was that high. Also the shell are brown and I can not see into them to well.

 

[1muttsfan]

Wowmannacat that is too bad

 

[wowmanacat]

I am going to wait and see what happens. I got my husband to build me a candler and candled some of my eggs I think I am going to have some chicks if they don't give up. I had some tiny darks spots like the beginning of a baby chick. I did not candle all my eggs but the ones that I did two were good.

 

[1muttsfan]

fingers crossed for you!

 

[wowmanacat]

well, I got great new 14/17 are moving. I was able to candle tonight and it made me fell so great that I did not kill the embryos at all. The three that are no good are all unfertilized and have a floating are sac or yolk.

 

[1muttsfan]