Getting ready to incubate duck eggs, and I'm so confused!

[naturemom]

I'm getting duck eggs next week, have the incubator set up, etc. but I'm finding so much conflicting advice I don't know what I'm supposed to do. For instance, in Storey's guide to raising ducks, it says to start with 1 temp (101.5?) and raise it by 1/2 degree each week. But other places (including here) I'm hearing 99.5-100. Then I talked to a guy at the farmer's market today who raises poultry and he said stay at 98-99, because too hot might kill them. He also said not to use a digital thermometer, but that seems to be what everyone on here uses.
Then there's humidity. The incubator (a still-air Hovabator) didn't come with a hygrometer, and says to fill the middle section of the tray with water. I did, and added a hygrometer, which is now reading about 75%, but the Storey book says to aim for 55%. Oh, and did I mention that I have 2 thermometers in there and they are telling me 2 different temps about 4 degrees apart?
At this rate, it will be a miracle if I get these eggs hatched without losing my mind.

 

[hatchcrazzzy]

i set my bators at 99.5 and just fill the waterer in the bottom 3 days prior to hach i add a lttle bowl with a sponge and water in it

 

[Sunny Chook Farm]

Quote:
That's what I do,also.. last hatch was 100%

 

[DuckyBoys]

Well Nature mom I am getting ready to try this incubation thing for the first time as well. I too will have ducks.

I have the same incubator and I have read somewhere that these still air models need a temp of about 102. My humidity was at like 30 percent when I only filled that one tray, I practically had to pour in cupfulls of water to get it to 55-60%. We are in colorado though - at high elevation - so maybe that has a lot to do with it?

I guess all we can do is experiment and see what happens. Keep us posted and when I set mine I'll post as well.

Good Luck,

Julie