Got pips & humidity at 62% - do I do anything?

[OCchickens]

Day 20 here with pips in most of the eggs, and cheeping. Humidity has been steady at 62-63% last 2 days. I was keeping it a little low because I was concerned air cells were small. Should I try to increase the moisture without opening the bator, and how?

Thanks!

 

[danielnv]

I'm a newbie too, but people are using a number of methods to get water in through the air vents. Some use a small air hose like for an aquarium pump, hooked up to a small syringe, or a turkey baster (not sure if that one would fit the vents in mine). If you have a vent hole with a direct path to your water channels or tray, with no eggs in the way, you could just slowly pour it in. I had to use an extra sponge in mine, and got the humidity up to about 75% that way. I think it wouldn't hurt to open the bator quickly, and put in a wet sponge, and then close her back up pretty quick.

Did you candle the eggs before you raised the humidity?

 

[OCchickens]

Yes, I candled on day 18 & air cells seemed more like day 14. I've read some places saying to aim for 65-70% during hatching, so with it being 63% I'm wondering if it's worth messing with it... of course I don't want no sticky chicks!

 

[OCchickens]

Here's an ameracauna - looks like she might be the first out!

 

[azelgin]

I wouldn't worry about your humidity at 62%. As soon as the first one hatches I'll bet it will jump up to near 70%. That's what happened to mine just yesterday with the first hatch. Good luck to you.

 

[Akane]

That should be fine. It will have a few spikes as they hatch. I found over 70% I start running the risk of drowning them and at 75% there are definitely problems. I pull vent plugs before it gets that high now. I also have hatched at 55% this past winter when everything was frozen and dry with no problems. Some of my highest hatch rates. 60% is a good starting point for the hatch and it will spike up to about 65% possibly higher depending on how many eggs hatch at once.

 

[OCchickens]

THat's just what happened - up to 70% now -- and here she is!!
Thanks!

 

[tiki244]

O how cute. Looks like a brown egg has pipped too.