How should I incubate my eggs without an actual incubator?

[Amazing_chicks27]

I've got a small problem about incubating eggs and I'd like other people's advice as I am unsure of what to do. So, one of my hens went broody a couple days back, but just 2 days ago she decided to quit, now I don't know how long it has been since she started incubating. I didn't pay much attention to it as she seemed very determined but decided to stop. And now I am left with 11 eggs. I candled the eggs and they have signs of life (movement is seen). The problem is that I don't have a proper incubator. I've got 2: one heats up almost like an oven, heat up way too much, the 2nd there is not much humidity. I decided to buy a heat lamp of 120v which is the lowest I could find at my store and I've got the eggs inside a bucket with rice at the bottom, a can of water with 2 sponges, and 3 thermometers. I am having issues with temperature and humidity levels. I already 'calibrated' one of the thermometers with the probe for temperature(it is 1.9˚ off according to ice cold water test). I am not sure if it is the thermometers or the heat lamp to close. The thermometer without the probe is not calibrated for temp. just for humidity. The heat lamp is doing it's job but is way too hot, and for humidity I need to raise it. I'd like some advice on what to do as it is a bit complicated for me. Should I test the digital thermometers? Should I use another container and put the heat lamp further? Please reach out to me with any ideas, I don't want the baby chicks to die.

 

[Debbie292d]

I'm seeing 35 and 40% for humidity. That's just slightly low but should still be okay.

The problem is going to be the last three days you try get that up to at least 60%. At first I was thinking you could drape cheese cloth or some breathable flour cloth kitchen towel loosely around it to trap humidity in, but that would be a fire hazard I'm sure. What about using a couple of water bottle caps as I see you'd have room for a few in there. You could fill those with water and set them between the eggs.

It only takes a few minutes to test your thermometers so to ensure you're accurate, I would do it.

If your incubator that's bad for humidity is perfect for temperature, maybe you could use that one, and do the bottle caps or sponges for humidity in that one?

 

[Slothinc]

I'm seeing 35 and 40% for humidity. That's just slightly low but should still be okay.

The problem is going to be the last three days you try get that up to at least 60%. At first I was thinking you could drape cheese cloth or some breathable flour cloth kitchen towel loosely around it to trap humidity in, but that would be a fire hazard I'm sure. What about using a couple of water bottle caps as I see you'd have room for a few in there. You could fill those with water and set them between the eggs.

It only takes a few minutes to test your thermometers so to ensure you're accurate, I would do it.

If your incubator that's bad for humidity is perfect for temperature, maybe you could use that one, and do the bottle caps or sponges for humidity in that one?

I think Debbie is right, consider putting them in your incubator that is bad for humidity and just fill it with wet sponges etc for lock down.