Humidity vs airflow UPDATE !

[Gagirly]

I have 2 lg incubators. One I use for incubation and the other for lockdown. I know airflow is important during lockdown but I can't get the humidity above 50 when I take both the plugs out. I kept the plugs in, thinking that the little airholes would be enough and had the humidity at 65 but the eggs didn't even pip. I cracked them open and chicks were fully formed and looked normal. Any comments ? Really would like to iron out these problems.

 

[rebel yell]

Quote:
How many days was the eggs in the bator ? what was your humid. running the first 17 days ?

 

[Gagirly]

On the first seventeen it was 40. I cracked open the eggs on the 24th day.

 

[rebel yell]

I dont know, its hard to say everything sounds right other than things happen, it dont always go like its supposed to, just keep trying, dont give up, the LG's have always been know'n to give problems, I have had one myself in the past but not anymore, not saying yours is bad, I have a buddy that does real good with his, but they are well known for high temp spikes when you put the high humidity to them, so unless you was watching it close for the last few days & know for sure it didnt do that I would say that was probely the problem.

 

[Gagirly]

I've got another batch in therre. I'm going to see how they do with 50% humidity and more airflow.

 

[rebel yell]

Good luck, We all need it, I got some eggs going right now myself, not a very good time of the year for hatching but I just cant help it !!!!!! Good luck to everyone.

 

[cmom]

I think you have a humidity problem. To bring the humidity up at lockdown I put some paper towel under the wire and make sure the reservoirs are filled with water. The paper towel may get wet but that is ok. I also add a half pint mason jar with warm water and a sponge in it. The sponge acts like a wick. Also since you are using a LG incubator the small holes line up perfectly so you can squirt water into the holes and the water will go into the jars to fill them and don't have to open the incubator up. The temp will change and that is ok too don't adjust it just let it settle out. Sometimes I may need to put two jars in the hatcher. I keep the humidity around 35% during incubation and bring it up to around 75% during lockdown. The plugs need to be out during lockdown. The eggs need the added airflow. If the humidity goes down during lockdown I put a straw in a hole and squirt a little warm water on the paper towel. the moisture will spread out some but that is ok. My hatches are or near 100%. I know it is heart breaking when the eggs don't hatch. Since I have been doing my hatching like this my hatch rate has went up and I have had 100% hatches which i never thought before was possible. Good luck on your next hatch...

 

[jen85]

Thank you for asking this!! I am having the same problem.

 

[Gagirly]

Thank you Cmom !!! I will try your suggestions.

 

[Gagirly]

Had not had time to try Cmom's advice, however, the next 3 chicks hatched with no problem. I decided to set up a chick nursery in my closet and have the brooder and the lockdown incubator close to each other. I happened to look down at the hygrometer a few minutes after I moved the incubator and it was steadily rising ! Maybe it being a smaller room helped hold in the humidity. So that's where it stays from now on. Just thought I'd share.