HELP! Chicks are hatching and humidity got lower!

[rosewellfarm]

Hi, we had a new baby already hatched out a day early this morning, and a bunch more have pipped, but I've noticed that the humidity is not 57-60% like it had been, it is now lowered to 53%. Is this OK? I don't want my babies to be shrink wrapped!

There isn't a way to add more water without opening it up (Brinsea 40), and all of the channels were filled full 2 days ago for lockdown, should I open it and try to add a little dish with a wet rag in it? I don't want to do more harm than good, but I don't want them to get this far and get too dry to make it out! Any advice?

 

[Mommy6]

I don't have a brinsea, so I'm not sure what they're like. Are there any vent holes you could slide a straw through to add more water?

 

[rosewellfarm]

There is one vent hole that I could put a straw through. But, my problem is that the channels for water are under trays, and the trays are full of eggs with a cloth under them (to prevent breaks, and the plastic hurting the chick's navels, etc). Someone on the emergency thread told me to maybe just wait it out unless the humidity drops below 50%, and then try to quickly throw in a wet sponge. I'm hoping by that another egg or two will hatch so I could fit a little dish in there to put in a sponge so it isn't sitting up against an egg.

Is 50% humidity OK for hatching? Or is it sure to hurt them? Most of what I've read says that it needs to be higher, like 65-70%...if 50% is sure to hurt them, I'll try the sponge...Gah!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I would just let them go. As the eggs pip, they'll release moisture and bring the humidity up some. And if it makes you feel any better, I dry hatch (usually between 25-35% humidity) and have forgotten to lock down completely and only noticed it was hatch day because there were chicks in the incubator

 

[rosewellfarm]

Ahhhh OMG OMG OMG! Another one just hatched this is so exciting! The humidity suddenly raised to 60%, so hopefully them hatching will keep it up. If not, I'll add a sponge. Thanks for the quick responses, they are like nearly 2 days early which is why I was freaking out!!! gotta set up the brooder today! Yay!!!!