First Time Incubating. Please help!

[MTRChickens]

I'm trying my first at incubation. I've got a few questions. I made my own incubator with a styrofoam cooler and light bulb and such. But I'm having a tough time regulating the humidity. It claimes it's too low. I don't have a sponge in it in case I don't need it. Should I increase the water amount then? I originally put warm water in it tonight Temperature, I'm working on letting it get accustomed first before messing too much with it. My hydrometer and thermometer is a digital all in one device. Currently the humidity is 34. Help please!

 

[fnwolffie]

it depends on what you want your humidity at! all hatchers have a different answer. add more water if you need more humidity. easiest way to keep humidity is not to open the incubator. get more than one hydrometer and thermometer (i have 4 in mine and all read slighty different) have fun and good luck

 

[MTRChickens]

Well, that's a little more comforting. I've been having people tell me to get the humidity at 40-50 for the first 18 days then 60-75 the last few days. What's the max humidity I should look at?

 

[MTRChickens]

I just went to turn the eggs and they were sitting at 108 degrees with 33 humidity. I'm going to put some more holes in it to try and lower it slightly. What's the recommended temperatures for the first 18 versus last?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I just went to turn the eggs and they were sitting at 108 degrees with 33 humidity. I'm going to put some more holes in it to try and lower it slightly. What's the recommended temperatures for the first 18 versus last?

If you have still air incubator the temps should be between 101-102F taken near the tops of the eggs. If it is fan forced then 99.5F. Humidity, people differ on, it depends on what works for your eggs. I incubate standard eggs at 30-35% generally and monitor air cells and then for hatch I raise it to 70-75%. The trick is to monitor air cells. I use this method: http://letsraisechickens.weebly.com...anuals-understanding-and-controlling-humidity
108 is deadly no matter what if the internal temps hit 104 for any extended length of time.

 

[MTRChickens]

Okay, I just readjusted the temperature. It was too high. Is it possible I may have lost them already? It was at 100 last night.I just added a bunch of holes more than I did last night. O hope I didn't mess up and kill them

 

[MTRChickens]

I should add, it's still air

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Okay, I just readjusted the temperature. It was too high. Is it possible I may have lost them already? It was at 100 last night.I just added a bunch of holes more than I did last night. O hope I didn't mess up and kill them

It's possible if the internal temps got high enough, that it killed them, but I would give it 3-5 days and candle for development before loosing hope.

 

[MTRChickens]

Well, I finally lowered it to 99 last night after about a major heart attack trying to fix it for two hours. Will that kill them too or just prolong hatching if they made it?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Well, I finally lowered it to 99 last night after about a major heart attack trying to fix it for two hours. Will that kill them too or just prolong hatching if they made it?

An average of 99F in still air with temps taken at tops of eggs would cause a delay in hatch.