Hatching Polish! help me do it right.

[CrazyFowlFreak]

I finally got my Polish I'd been wanting.

I drove 2+ hours away to pick them up so they didn't have to be shipped. I won the auction here from Jewell Farm. She was so sweet and just adorable!

They are now on day #13. Big, beautiful veins, wiggly embryos, looking great!

These are basic questions that I just want to clarify, for my sanity.

I will put them in lockdown on Friday, correct? I only candled them twice so far; on day#3 and day #12. The temp has been a constant 99.5 with a 20-21% humidity. Humidity should go up to about 30-40 at lockdown, right? My past hatches seemed to have too high humidity and were very unsuccessful, so I thought to try a lower %. Please refresh me so I can try and do everything correct this time.

When I remove the egg turner, the temps drop. Should I have ready little covered containers with water in them to help keep a more level temp? I think this is what has been the bane of my hatches. I always have a temp drop after I remove the turner, and then a bad hatch because I'm trying to get the temp steady again and end up with about 2-4 out of a dozen eggs- give or take.

I have to get this batch right, this is my last batch of the year and I would be heartbroken to have it be a failure like my others have been. Please, if you have any advice, ideas, anything you think may help, please post here. I greatly appreciate any thoughts at all.

 

[Illia]

Hey there, I've got some Tolbunt Polish also waiting to hatch. . . But they're due on Sunday, so just before yours.

The temp dropping during removal of the egg turner you shouldn't worry of too much. Often doing things like that makes it drop just a little, then go back up. 'tis the same as putting the eggs in - Their cool surfaces drop the temp a little.

The humidity is really low for my taste, but yes, just as long as you keep the percentage increase along normal during lockdown, things should be fine. I find that with my own hatches, keeping the humidity only about 5-10% above normal, then on hatch day bump it up a lot more - Can really get get hatch rates as well.

Don't worry, you're not the only worried one with Polish eggs in the bator. . . I paid an arm and a leg for my eggs, so far have 50% fertility (great for shipped tolbunts, actually) and am REALLY hoping all goes well, and I get 100% hatch rate and health out of these eggs!

Oh and yes, lockdown for you is on Friday.

So far things seem fine with you.

 

[CrazyFowlFreak]

Any others have an insight?