humidity issues in one of those yellow lid plastic incubators

[Kiki]

Thanks Kiki. I really don't know how accurate the reading is. I'm worried it's incorrect and I'm drowning them, but until day 18 at around the 40 - 50% reading all the air cells looked about the right size, so I'm counting on that meaning it's not too far out. So 60ish is too high? There's so much confusing information. I've read to go as high as 75%. it's difficult to know when looking up random web articles how correct they are. What would you suggest? And thanks

I'd not add anymore water if I were you.
I think that is plenty high enough.

What day is hatch day?
When was the last time you candled them?

 

[hobby chick]

Then your humidity is great! I wouldn't worry.
I incubate a lot of ducks, and I use a clean wet rag for lockdown. It's the only way I've found to keep the humidity up with the vent open.

what a relief, thanks!

 

[hobby chick]

I'd not add anymore water if I were you.
I think that is plenty high enough.

What day is hatch day?
When was the last time you candled them?

Hatch day is Saturday. I candled them at day 18 and most looked like I think they're supposed to (from what I've seen elsewhere on this site). A couple didn't really look right but because I don't know enough to be sure I've left them in there.

 

[Kiki]

Hatch day is Saturday. I candled them at day 18 and most looked like I think they're supposed to (from what I've seen elsewhere on this site). A couple didn't really look right but because I don't know enough to be sure I've left them in there.

I'd candle them again tomorrow night to see if they are starting to "drawn down" if I were you.

Good luck!

 

[hobby chick]

I'd candle them again tomorrow night to see if they are starting to "drawn down" if I were you.

Good luck!

I had to look up what draw down was I really don't know very much about all this yet. I will give it a go. Thanks so much for all your advice.

 

[Kiki]

I'll find one of my videos of the air cell drawing down for you.
Give me a second or two.

 

[Kiki]

I am looking still but for now, check this out:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/horse-triplets-hatching-on-3-27.1295062/post-21138673

 

[hobby chick]

I am looking still but for now, check this out:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/horse-triplets-hatching-on-3-27.1295062/post-21138673

Oh, I see! I can't wait to look now Thanks!

 

[hobby chick]

I have babies! MASSIVE thanks for all the help.
How nerve wracking!! It wasn't the most successful hatch in terms of numbers (I ended up with 6 from 11) but I'm so happy to have some hatch. Four hatched easily, but two partially zipped then stopped. After 15 hours of no visible movement I was sure one had died. The other, after 9 hours was still peaking its beak through the same bit of hole as though not able to move and seemed to be trying less and less as time went on. Back onto this site for a quick study on the pros and cons and dangers of assisted hatching and into the hot steaming shower recess we went (best place i could think of to attempt it). I was sooo petrified of helping but the chick was completely stuck. The membrane was like super glue! I freed it up as much as I dared and popped it back in then went to remove the one I thought was dead and there was the teensiest, tiniest little noise. OMG it's alive! Back into the steam and if I thought the last one was glued, this was like cement. I stood there burning my feet off for several minutes while the steam just gradually helped me loosen it. Anyway, there was no bleeding with either and they were both super tired, but now they're chirping and flopping around like the others. Phew!!
I hatched these in an egg carton as they were shipped eggs with saddle air cells. Of the row of eggs closest to the middle of the incubator, the four centre ones hatched easily, the ones on each end of that row were the ones who had issues with drying out, and all the eggs closest to the back didn't make it out at all. I don't think that can be a coincidence. The humidity had to be fine in the middle, but perhaps either the heat or humidity doesn't flow evenly around the sides of these machines? Anyway, if I hatch in one of these again, I'll be placing them right in the very middle... But maybe it's time for a new incubator. I'll do some research when I can take my eyes off the babies for five minutes
Thanks again for all the help! It made such a difference to have people that know what they're doing to talk to. You guys are amazing x