Humidity

[jaywin]

Hi all
Does high humidity cause a late hatch?
Im clutching at straws really as mine were due fri and it’s now Sunday ☹
weather here in England has been a bit humid this month, my eggs all have contents at candling on day 18, went into lock down and increased humidity as directed - it’s a brinsea so can’t see actual % measure, you just have to fill water to higher fill line.
anyway nothing so far so feeling like I may have killed them

 

[Chicken12367]

Hi all
Does high humidity cause a late hatch?
Im clutching at straws really as mine were due fri and it’s now Sunday ☹☹
weather here in England has been a bit humid this month, my eggs all have contents at candling on day 18, went into lock down and increased humidity as directed - it’s a brinsea so can’t see actual % measure, you just have to fill water to higher fill line.
anyway nothing so far so feeling like I may have killed them

Do you have no idea what the humidity was during the first 18 days of incubation? A couple of hatches ago I didn't pay much attention to humidity and as a result a couple of the chicks drowned in their shells after internally pipping. My humidity was around 60% which I later found out was way too high and was the cause of death for those chicks. Like you I followed instructions from Brinsea and filled the central pot to the higher fill line. I was lucky to get four hatch! That was a lesson learnt, I now run my incubators dry, 30-35% for the first 18 days and 75% for the final 3. I've done two hatches ever since on the first I got 100% hatch rate for eggs from my own flock and the second I achieved 90% hatch rate for some shipped orpington eggs. I monitored the air cells closely and they were developing properly. I recommend that for your next hatch you get some hygrometers and calibrate them, use them and monitor the air cell growth and adjust humidity based on that. High humidity can cause a late hatch but so can low temperatures. for this hatch and good luck with any future hatches.

 

[jaywin]

Hi
Thank you I will get some and monitor the humidity next time for sure.
On a bright note one of the eggs has pipped this morning so there is still some hope for this hatch. Although I’m not counting my chicks just yet as they say!

 

[Chicken12367]

Hi
Thank you I will get some and monitor the humidity next time for sure.
On a bright note one of the eggs has pipped this morning so there is still some hope for this hatch. Although I’m not counting my chicks just yet as they say!

An external pip is a good sign. Remember to keep the humidity high and the incubator closed. What are you hatching? Good luck

 

[jaywin]

Hi
Yes to be honest I have kept it closed since day 18 as you do and haven’t interfered at all as I kept reading that hatch can happen up to day 25 so I’ve had fingers crossed all weekend - but with a tinge of sadness as I didn’t really think they would hatch.
they are gold partridge Brahmas a beautiful bird so praying they do hatch now! Just sat watching the pipped egg and can see movement from under the pip and low and behold another egg has pipped!!!!

 

[Chicken12367]

Hi
Yes to be honest I have kept it closed since day 18 as you do and haven’t interfered at all as I kept reading that hatch can happen up to day 25 so I’ve had fingers crossed all weekend - but with a tinge of sadness as I didn’t really think they would hatch.
they are gold partridge Brahmas a beautiful bird so praying they do hatch now! Just sat watching the pipped egg and can see movement from under the pip and low and behold another egg has pipped!!!!

That’s great, but because your hatch has been late I would calibrate your incubator and make sure it’s the correct temperature. I’ve just ordered some Brahma hatching eggs

 

[jaywin]

Good plan will do
Good luck with your eggs!