Humidity too high; will chicks drown?

[slou]

I'm worried about the eggs in the incubator. My 12-year-old daughter is doing a science project about the hatch rate in grocery store eggs. The incubator humidity slowly inched up and she didn’t realize until today that it had gotten up to an average of 65% towards the end. She also didn’t get her days tracked right so she only just removed them today from the automatic egg turner. At this point she’s pretty devastated, thinking they probably all died (10 were developing nicely as of day 14). Any words of wisdom or advice at this point? Is there any chance any will hatch or do we think they drowned since the humidity was too high (and we don’t know how long it was at that level- early on it was closer to 50%)?

 

[slou]

I'm worried about the eggs in the incubator. My 12-year-old daughter is doing a science project about the hatch rate in grocery store eggs. The incubator humidity slowly inched up and she didn’t realize until today that it had gotten up to an average of 65% towards the end. She also didn’t get her days tracked right so she only just removed them today from the automatic egg turner. At this point she’s pretty devastated, thinking they probably all died (10 were developing nicely as of day 14). Any words of wisdom or advice at this point? Is there any chance any will hatch or do we think they drowned since the humidity was too high (and we don’t know how long it was at that level- early on it was closer to 50%)?

To clarify, we’re at day 20

 

[AlleysChicks]

Humidity is supposed to be increased for lockdown. If you’re worried Do a quick candle and check air cell size and look for movement.

How long until science fair?

 

[JeanR]

Have you candled the eggs and know that they were fertile eggs? Few STore eggs are fertile eggs, as they are laid by hens that never see a rooster. But some stores sell "local" eggs, that maybe be fertile. We all learn so many things that are helpful--for us--over the years. While I always prefer hens to hatch my chicks, with incubators, I never did "lock down", but did careful candling up to first pips. This can save "breech" chicks, if you identify them, and also show whether the chick is in position to hatch normally, and if some are going to hatch a day early or maybe a day late! Hate to ever lose a chick. Wish you good luck and a safe hatch--good experience !
.

 

[slou]

Humidity is supposed to be increased for lockdown. If you’re worried Do a quick candle and check air cell size and look for movement.

How long until science fair?

It’s next Monday so we have 7 days. But she is so panicked now, poor thing is sure they all died and her project is ruined.

 

[AlleysChicks]

It’s next Monday so we have 7 days. But she is so panicked now, poor thing is sure they all died and her project is ruined.

Oh dear. Definitely not enough time to set another round. That some make it.

 

[slou]

Have you candled the eggs and know that they were fertile eggs? Few STore eggs are fertile eggs, as they are laid by hens that never see a rooster. But some stores sell "local" eggs, that maybe be fertile. We all learn so many things that are helpful--for us--over the years. While I always prefer hens to hatch my chicks, with incubators, I never did "lock down", but did careful candling up to first pips. This can save "breech" chicks, if you identify them, and also show whether the chick is in position to hatch normally, and if some are going to hatch a day early or maybe a day late! Hate to ever lose a chick. Wish you good luck and a safe hatch--good experience !
.

They were all labeled fertile eggs and one was Trader Joe’s, which many people have hatched successfully before. Unfortunately the TJ’s batch had a zero hatch rate but the two CA brands both had some development

 

[slou]

They were all labeled fertile eggs and one was Trader Joe’s, which many people have hatched successfully before. Unfortunately the TJ’s batch had a zero hatch rate but the two CA brands both had some development

Sorry- obviously didn’t meant hatch rate since none have hatched yet, but our candling showed eggs developing out of 2 of the 3 brands of eggs we bought

 

[slou]

Oh dear. Definitely not enough time to set another round. That some make it.

Thank you!!

 

[Grenadianexpat]

I'm worried about the eggs in the incubator. My 12-year-old daughter is doing a science project about the hatch rate in grocery store eggs. The incubator humidity slowly inched up and she didn’t realize until today that it had gotten up to an average of 65% towards the end. She also didn’t get her days tracked right so she only just removed them today from the automatic egg turner. At this point she’s pretty devastated, thinking they probably all died (10 were developing nicely as of day 14). Any words of wisdom or advice at this point? Is there any chance any will hatch or do we think they drowned since the humidity was too high (and we don’t know how long it was at that level- early on it was closer to 50%)?

Where I am the ambient humidity at the moment is 87%, and using a home made bator I still place a tray under them with water in it. Fingers crossed, but I bet some will make it, and please reassure your daughter that she didn't kill those that didn't. They stop right up to the last day for a myriad reasons. Nature doesn't give 100%.