How important is "lock down", if the ambient humidity, in the room my incubator is in, stay's around

[BrannonGale]

How important is "lock down" if the ambient humidity in the room my incubator is in, stays around 50%?

 

[BrannonGale]

I'm using a still air incubator, and the ambient temp is between 75 and 80 deg.

 

[NYREDS]

I've been hatching since 1962 & never heard of "lock down" until I began to post on BYC. I have always removed chicks from the incubator while the hatch was in progress & still do. Over the years I have hatched thousands of chicks & have always had good hatch rates. Obviously I don't think "lock down" is important at all.

 

[Chick CJ]

I just hatched eggs and the humidity was at 55% until the chicks started actually hatching, then it kept going up as more and more eggs opened up. It took two full days to complete the hatch and I removed chicks during that time. I think the important part of "lockdown" is really not messing with the eggs too much and just letting them do their thing. (and taking them out of a turner if you have them in one)
CJ

 

[BrannonGale]

I've all but killed the total of two batches. Most of this batch died around day 10. I'm trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong. Air cells seem perfect (obviously I'm no expert).
Possible problems that I've identified include:

1.) Cheap thermometer: I'm going to get a better thermometer, and follow calibration techniques.
2.) Incubator exposed to direct sunlight. I'm going to cover view ports.

Any additional help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[enola]

By direct sunlight do you mean near a window with the sun shining on the incubator?

 

[BrannonGale]

Yes

 

[enola]

Bad idea. The sun shining on your incubator is probably causing heat spikes. Meaning certain death to your embryos.

 

[BrannonGale]

Thank you, I will move the incubator.

 

[enola]

I think your luck will improve immensely The fact that you had developement is a great sign. What kind of incubator do you have?