Guineas hatching early and shrink-wrapping!

[mothersin2ition]

Today is day 25 and I have 2 Guineas out and 3 more pipping. The problem isn't with them hatching early, it is the fact that they are shrink-wrapped! One was out by itself this morning when I got up, but it's shell was dried and stuck to it's back. The other one had zipped all the way, but was completely dried out so I had to hatch it myself (first checking to make sure all the blood was absorbed from the membrane). My humidity was around 45% so I added a wet sponge, pushing it to 58%. Is that going to be too high? I am confused, I don't understand why they are drying out!

 

[R2elk]

Today is day 25 and I have 2 Guineas out and 3 more pipping. The problem isn't with them hatching early, it is the fact that they are shrink-wrapped! One was out by itself this morning when I got up, but it's shell was dried and stuck to it's back. The other one had zipped all the way, but was completely dried out so I had to hatch it myself (first checking to make sure all the blood was absorbed from the membrane). My humidity was around 45% so I added a wet sponge, pushing it to 58%. Is that going to be too high? I am confused, I don't understand why they are drying out!

Apparently your temperature was a little too high during incubation. At the proper temperature, day 25 should be lockdown day which is the day that eggs are moved from the auto turner (if available) and humidity is raised. Forty-five percent humidity depending on your local conditions should be okay for incubating. Obviously based on your local conditions it is too low for hatching. For my local conditions, 60% humidity is what I aim for during lockdown but then 45% humidity for incubation is too high for me. You may want to aim for 75% humidity for hatching under your local conditions. It is also recommended to lower the incubator temperature by one degree during lockdown.

Most likely both your thermometer and hygrometer are off. Because of the early hatch that is good indication that your temperature has been running too high (99.5°F for forced air and 101.5°F at the top of the eggs for a still air incubator). Because of how dry the egg membranes are it is also quite possible that your hygrometer is reading a higher humidity than is actually present.

Good luck.

 

[mothersin2ition]

Ok thank you for the input! I increased the humidity and turned down the heat a little. I hope that helps.