First Time Hatching!! set tonight

[Minky]

Set eggs this afternoon.

I dont really know what I'm doing... can anyone tell me if this sounds sort of right?

I've borrowed a little giant 42 egg incubator, forced air and egg turner.... I have filled all 42 spots even though the say not to til spot 42 near the motor of the turner... plus I added 5 along the back laying down with an x on one side so I know when to turn. (hope that over filling wasn't a bad idea...I just figure if I lose any mid way, I can use their spots, and I had way too many eggs.
I bought 12 marans from one lady, 6 from another, 6 lavender orpingtion (who doesn't want a purple chicken?) , I have 6 CLB and 12 olive egger- but the colour I bought really more like ....well, diaherreah LOL . lots of speckled eggs from my welsummers and a few of my favorite EE ...

I had the machine run 2 days with water in bottom, at 99.8 degrees, double checked humidity and temp with other instruments, all good. Humidity was at 90% so dumped out most water- then it was at 50%. So loaded with eggs, by the time they were in temp was at 78 degrees.. and now, 4 hours later it is at 79% humidity again!! and only at 84 degrees,... ARRRGGGHHHHHH....
So then I double checked that all the water was gone- and it is. But this means I had to take the top off, remove egg turner, and replace al. So temp went down again... All the water was gone, it was totally dry.. But I have pulled off the tape I have over the two red plugs (plugs are missing), to let moisture out... I will keep an eye on it..
how long will it take to get to 99.8 degrees?? Have I already messed up??
Thanks

 

[Rooster G]

I do not trust hygrometers. What is the humidity in the room? What does Little Giant recommend you fill for that incubator for days 1-18? Do not worry so much about the humidity for now. You have many days to get that figured out. Get a steady temp, and you will be fine. Set one by the motor, and trade it out when you add water.

 

[Minky]

I do not trust hygrometers. What is the humidity in the room? What does Little Giant recommend you fill for that incubator for days 1-18? Do not worry so much about the humidity for now. You have many days to get that figured out. Get a steady temp, and you will be fine. Set one by the motor, and trade it out when you add water.

I have decided I will trade out the one by the motor each time I turn the 5 extra eggs I placed along the back . So that each egg only get 3-5 hrs of the "motor heat".

 

[Oldhallchicks]

How did your hatch turn out?