Hatching Questions

[Ducks81]

Hello, so after reading a ton I’m starting to get nervous about lock-down time and hatching. I have a homemade incubator so I consistently monitor it for the temp and humidity. My humidity is always fluctuating from 45-60...I also never am able to completely close the top bc if it temp rises, I have a hole on the top that I cover, leave open, or partially leave open depending on the temp. I also have a few air holes on the side. So my concern is getting the temp stable and humid way up for lock down. I’m thinking I have a few options...keep it like it is and just add more wet towels, etc to rise humidity during that time. Do I close the top completely and add more holes until the temp & humidity are stable, OR should I just build an entirely new incubator JUST for the hatching/lockdown time that I stabilize over a few days prior to have ready for that time? If I build a new one I can close the entire thing and take my time playing around with the amount of air holes and water, sponges, etc for the correct high humidity. My only concern with that is, do I mess with moving them somewhere new when so far (day 12) they are thriving where they are...what are your thoughts??

 

[casportpony]

Does your incubator have a fan?

 

[Ducks81]

No fan...I will show you pics. It’s a cardboard box with aluminum foil around the entire inside. There is an insulation pad on the bottom. I have a 60watt halogen bulb on the side towards the top. I then have about 6 small puncture holes around the bottom sides. I have a tray with water and a tray that sits on top of that in which the eggs & thermometer sit.
The first few pics are of the incubator when I started in. (Note the clear closure to see through, that has since been taken off for more air) the last few pics are what the inside looks like now...With the last picture the temp is down a bit bc I recently opened it up to add water and a wet wash cloth in a tray for humidity. Thanks!!!

 

[Ducks81]

Does your incubator have a fan?

I responded but forgot to hit reply...

 

[casportpony]

So no fan. Do you know that you are supposed to incubate at a higher temperature without a fan? 101.5 degrees I think.

 

[Ducks81]

No, I did not know that...i will have to google that to get the exact temp-thanks!

 

[casportpony]

@Pyxis wrote this great article:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-beginners-guide-to-incubation.73350/