Help! Chicks are hatching but humidity is getting 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?

 

[Fred's Hens]

A drinking straw will slide through the vent hole on the Brinsea 20. Using a dropper, it is tedious but you can keep squirting water down through the straw. 10-12 squirts is about 2 ounces perhaps. Repeat as needed.

I often pre-position a sponge below that vent. This sponge will soak up the water from the straw and carry it throughout the sponge, giving it plenty of surface area to dissipate the moisture. It works very well. I also use warm water as it seems to vaporize somewhat better.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Another thing you could do is prepare a wet sponge, say 2"x3" size and lift the lid and toss it in and quickly return the lid. That brief exchange of outside air will not bother much and the added moisture easily makes up for it.

Or, unless the humidity actually falls below 50%, you could just wait it out. If it does drop below 50% the old "Quick Sponge Toss" is well worth it.

 

[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 response, they are like nearly 2 days early which is why I was freaking out!!! gotta set up the brooder today! Yay!!!!