Homemade incubator/ first timer tips please!

[Neverenuff]

Ok This weekend I made a incubator using plans I found on this site. All up and running but I am overwhelmed at all the information and would like to pose a few questions, Feel free to add any other info I could need.
Forgive my stupidity.

Ok I will be putting in the bator east Indies and Call duck eggs next Monday. (I know bad choice for first eggs )

1. question about temp. What temp do I go by the one in the waterwiggler or the air temp? ( I bought a gage at walmart that has the probe so it does outside inside and humity.) Because my water wiggler I am getting 99.5 - 100.00 every time I look at it the other temp varies 2 degress or more.


2. what do you recomend the humidity to be at? Mine is running 60-65%
Too much I think so how do I remedy that? more vent holes?

3. How big does the vent holes need to be? My bator is a foam ice chest.

4. I do not have a turner so I will be doing that by hand. So what method does everyone recomend? In egg carton at a angle back and forth or on the eggs on the side.

5. Mist or No Mist?

ok all you experienced hatchers give me the lowdown.
Jamie

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

I don't know the humidity range for duck eggs.

However I will give you my opinion to a couple of yours questions.

1. Go by the temp in the water wiggler. It is a good representation of the temp inside the egg. It's not unusual for your thermometer to range 2 or even 3 degrees higher or lower.

2. Vent holes, in my opinion, need to be about 1/2 to 3/4 inches. I put a smaller one right behind my fan and the others at each end of the bator...2 on each end at the bottom.

3. I personally like to use an egg carton to eliminate the handling of each egg too much. I've dropped and cracked eggs while candling before

4. Don't know about misting...I understand you mist them from a certain day on through hatching.