HELP!!!!!!! First time incubating eggs- and it's an emergency!

[heath_elisha]

We have a broody hen- who due to unforeseen issues with our other broody hen - had a large clutch that had staggered hatch days. So far 8 of the 10 expected to hatch this weekend had hatched. We removed the chicks as they dried- with hopes that she would stay on the nest with the remaining 4 eggs, that are due to hatch tuesday/wednesday. But- we think she might bail out on us........ so we went and bought a Little Giant #9200. I have no hydrometer though........ this would be the problem. I just plugged it in and am trying to get the temp to level off at 99.5. Water wells are filled. And now I am biting nails hoping she doesn't get off the eggs because I have no clue how to monitor the humidity. Any professionals here that can suggest specific temp and way to get the humidity in the right place for the last couple days of lockdown???? Red plugs in? Water always full? Help! lol The directions that came with this cheapy are not helpful.......

thank you!

 

[balderman2002]

Red plugs out, water always full. You get the temp right you will be fine.

 

[heath_elisha]

How fast can I expect the humidity to level off after removing the red plugs? Also, how often does the water need to be refilled? Just curious if this means I'll be up all night checking it lol. I want to make sure it is where it needs to be in case she quits on the little ones.......I know..... I am full of questions, but I really would hate if they died because I didn't ask the enough questions!

Thank you.

 

[phoenix912]

Walmart has a acurite thermometer humidity all in one. Its about ten dollars. That's what I've been using. So far my hatches have been pretty good.

 

[Rainbows Chicks]

Walmart has a acurite thermometer humidity all in one. Its about ten dollars. That's what I've been using. So far my hatches have been pretty good.

The hygrometer is very helpful to have, so if you can get one (at Walmart, pet stores, hardware stores etc.), I would encourage you to do so; however, if it won't be possible to get one, you should still be fine to follow the instructions that came with the incubator.
I use an incubator very similar to this one and my humidity stays very steadily between 74%-76% by keeping water in all three water troughs. I left my red vent plug in, though, until my first egg hatched. Once the first egg hatched, the humidity the little guy brought to the bator raised the RH to about 78%, but once I pulled the vent plug, I could get the humidity back down to 74-76%.
As for keeping water in the water troughs, you should only need to replenish the water a couple of times, if that, during the course of your three day lockdown. In the instructions, that came with my incubator, it was explained that it is the area size that has water in it, rather than the depth of the water that impacts the level of humidity. I definitely found this to be true, because I was using a hygrometer and my RH stayed steady throughout, as long as there was some water in all three troughs, even if the water level got very low. Also, even when I added water to fill the troughs right up to the top, the humidity did not increase... The point being, I guess, is just not to worry about 'how much' water is in the troughs...as long as there is some water in all of them.
TIP: I read, in someone else's post, that they used straws to refill the water troughs, without having to open the incubator... This was a fantastic idea and worked very well! I just used the straws with the bendy tops and joined two (and sometimes three) straws together to reach the troughs through the vent plug hole. I used a toy tea cup with a fairly small spout to pour the water into the straws; however, the person who initially mentioned using this technique, mentioned using a medicine syringe.
Good luck with your hatch and sorry about such a long post...

I tend to be "long-winded"

 

[phoenix912]

Walmart also has condiment bottles for a dollar. I use one of them filled with hot water and the bendy straws to add water without opening the lid of bator.

 

[rosie316]

I think that's what when wrong for me in my bator... I let the water wells dry out after removing the hatched Pekins and gooose, and my humidity was down to 34. I don't have high hopes for my Muscovys (but not giving up just yet).

 

[heath_elisha]

That is a great idea! I'll have to rig up something similar! Thank you for your suggestions.