Humidity Levels

[desertdarlene]

I used to live in Michigan, so I know what you mean about the fluctuating humidity levels. Most of Michigan, in general, tends to be a little on the humid side, especially compared to southern California.

 

[love_a_duck]

hmm, the easiest way to say it, it is about 30 minutes south of flint,
but we are still considered part of greater metro detroit!
way in the northern part of oakland county, just north of pontiac.

 

[FunnyBunnies12]

I don't think I'm going mist the eggs until I transfer or take out the egg turner for lock down.

 

[love_a_duck]

Quote:
yeah! the water is everywhere!
there is no straight way to get anywhere, i have to drive around some body of water all the time!
it is nice to have this little pond next to the apt building though.
i see loads of wildlife on that swampy marsh.

 

[desertdarlene]

My dad lives near a small lake, I think it's Orchard Lake or near Walled Lake. Unless you lived in Detroit-proper, you probably lived near a lake. In Detroit, we had rivers and creeks everywhere. Used to feed the ducks and swans at Stopel Park where there was a creek.

 

[katharinad]

You should have 55% humidity before lock down. The misting does not increase the over all humidity. The fan will dry this off in a few minutes. It is done to pull out extra moisture out of the egg so the chicks will not drown when it comes to hatching.

Just read that you have lost the first egg. It was probably to early in the mother's duck cycle. I would have discarded the eggs of the first 2 weeks, or better made breakfast out of them. That is why you had so many duds. The deformity could have been due to the duck being to early in her laying cycle, which can produce under developed eggs. It could also be a vitamin/mineral deficiency in the mother diet. For example Vitamin D deficiencies cause deformities in the bone structure. It could be the defect from the moms leg, if it is genetic. A genetic test can tell, but who can afford it. A defective gene does not always mean that all babies will have it, but there is a good possibility with a dominant gene. A recessive gene would be better. I would stop all breedings with her, if you get another duckling with deformities.

 

[FunnyBunnies12]

Why in the H would my humidity level drop over night like it did after I misted the eggs and before I did it was 60-65% and I just woke up to see it at 35%, unless the cord wasn't completely in the cord feeder, but I didn't see anything odd. It was only for a short time, I'm not going to panic, babies have another week. But will continue to mist daily until lock down. Now my question is, do I want to keep them in the Genesis during hatch or move them into the orginally planned hatchery of the Hova Bator.

Also, someone told me I shouldn't/couldn't eat fertile eggs, meaning they are fertile but mom hasn't sat on them yet. Why would that be??

 

[katharinad]

They get really messy when they hatch, having green stuff coming out of the egg etc. I would use the cheaper machine for hatching so keep your expensive machine clean. I know it is touchy with the temp, but you can manage. Also it is better to hatch in a machine without a fan, because it reduces the changes of shrink wrapping.

I think your lid may have been off and you lost more moisture. Don't worry about the one time drop. I had one going down to 20%, because I forgot to top of the tray.

You can eat fertile eggs, no difference in taste and it is not dangerous for you either. I think it is something people have in their mind. Perhaps they think it is something dirty. You just have to make sure you collect daily and refrigerate so nothing starts to develop.

BTW Some people buy organic free ranging eggs from Trader Joes and hatch them. Works with eggs from other stores too.