HELP!!! humidity problems on lockdown!

[karichick]

I'm on day 21 and not one pip! My humidity has dropped to 40%. My question is HOW DO I GET MORE HUMIDITY IN THERE? Do I need more or is it going to be okay? What should I do? Please help me ASAP!!!

Thank You!

 

[Kittymomma]

I'd bring it up. You can use surgical/aquarium tubing and a dosing syringe to fill the water trays without opening the bator. If that's not possible get your bathroom hot and steamy, take the bator in there and fill the water trays with hot water. You can also add wet sponges if you need the extra boost. Are you sure your hygrometer is accurate? Did you calibrate it? They can be off by quite a lot sometimes so you want to be sure it's correct before taking drastic measures.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

I agree kittymomma. It needs to be higher. Did you candle the eggs to make sure they were growing? I candle all my eggs just before I raise the humidity. Good luck, and keep us informed.

 

[abooth]

You can also wet some rags or small cloths with warm water and open it just long enough to toss them in.

 

[karichick]

Still not a peep!!! I candled them before lockdown and seemed good...big black spot on one end, air sac at the large end. I have put sponges in and it raised it some. Will try adding more.

 

[karichick]

Put in rolled up clothes really quickly and humidity is already rising!!!

Do you think it's too late for them considering the low humidity before?

 

[karichick]

Day 24: Not a movement or sound...Do they even have a chance? When do you know to just give up?

 

[newchickens2009]

Before giving up on all of them at once, I would very quickly reach in and grab one and shut it a.s.a.p. Then I would put it up to my ear and listen for a chirp, if no chrip then very carefully open it and see what I find. Depending on what I find is what would make my decession on what to do with the rest. But that is just my opinion, it's up to you?

I sure hope you end up with some really nice chicks!

 

[karichick]

Not a chirp, peep, or movement. Just candled two of the eggs. Over half of the egg is dark and the air sac is a little smaller than it was when I candled them before lockdown. Wondering how to open them if necessary and what I should be prepared to find/see. This is my first time incubating. I normally let the hens do the work! LOL!

Don't know if it makes a difference, but these are silkies. Do they sometimes hatch late.

 

[muddstopper]

To raise humidity, I soak a pair of rolledup socks in warm tap water and place in the bator. Humidity will shootup to about 70% in a few minutes.