Humidity questions for a first hatcher. A little help please!

[btpeters]

i'm glad you mentioned the rubber rings--because i wanted to ask about the paper towel thing. did you just add the rings at the end...during the hatch? what is their function exactly? is it for easier cleanup, or something more? thanks!

 

[wsdareme]

Quote:
I put them in when I removed the turning ring. That's when you should fill both sides of the reservoirs, close the lid, and sit on your hands for a few days.

Because I had such a problem with paper towels getting sopping wet and the chicks laying on them as they're born, I wanted something that would allow any moisture to go through to the bottom, while still giving the chicks something to get traction on and provide some cushion. It will also help with cleanup because you can throw them in some hot soapy water to clean them up. And you'll be surprised how gross your incubator will be after a hatch! There will probably be some blood, and a lot of fluids. It's going to stink a bit. The brand I used is Con-Tact non-adhesive "Grip Liner". I bought it at Walmart.

 

[btpeters]

I love that smile sippin the coffee while waiting...made me laugh out loud! my hubby thinks i'm crazy

ok...i'm definitely going to get some of that contact grip paper and try that out...what a great idea! i was all set to do the paper towel thing and you saved me some trouble--thanks again!

 

[wsdareme]

I tell ya, you will learn more from BYCers posts on this site than you'll learn from a hundred books. I can't believe how valuable it's been for me. Some things you'll just have to learn by doing, and you'll also find people have different ideas (i.e., humidity during incubation and hatch). But most of the information you'll find here you'll NEVER find in a book.

 

[enggass]

Well, I know what my problem is... My basement is 66º, which is fine, but being winter here in Maine the humidity is only around 20%. So, after many openings and closings I think I have it where I want it now. Used a piece of wash cloth coming out of one of the wells. Amazing how it needs to be just the right amount or will be too much or not enough. Have it reading 46% +/- which is where I want it.

 

[btpeters]

I have learned so much from this site.

Glad you got the humidity thing figured out...good luck with your hatch!!!

 

[HighNDryFarm]

I'm having a lot of trouble keeping my LG9200 at 50% humidity. I have a sponge, cut into four pieces and I have to wet them and add hot water where ever I can, about every 3 hours to keep it up to that. Otherwise it drops down to 45%. I'm in the second day of lockdown, so day 20. I don't see any activity. I'm afraid they're all dead......on day 16 I candled and had one that never started, one that looked like it was only at day 10, I'm guessing that's a quitter but couldn't get anyone to answer me on that one, then 5 that I wasn't sure due to dark shells and two I saw move for sure. This is my first hatch and my first time candling.

Any suggestions for keeping the humidity up without adding hot water every 3 hours?

 

[dsqard]

Can you get a container of water in your bator? It doesn't have to be real deep just wide as possible. In reading other threads, it is the amount of surface not the amount of water that will help increase humidity. If not how about that wet sock someone was suggesting earlier?

 

[HighNDryFarm]

Quote:
I have a full sponge in there already. I'm wondering if it's safe to open then bator at this time. I don't see any pips but they are at 20 days. I have noticed that if I put water all over the bottom it brings it up but it leaks out the small holes in the bottom, which is probably why it lifts the humidity but doesn't hold it, but that would confirm the surface amount being more important.

So do you think it's safe to open at this point since nobody has pipped?

 

[hallerlake]

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm expecting my digital Brinsea mini next week. I worried about the lack of a hygrometer, but now I know what to do. I do have a question. The mini holds seven eggs. What if I've only bought a half dozen eggs? Should I get an artificial egg to put in or will the eggs turn correctly without one?