I know its been asked 100 times but humidity was BAD & sticky chicks

[Smokin Silkies]

My hygrometers went BAD!!! after I started this hatch. Both kept reading different things throughout incubation, every time I calibrated them. I pretty much had to guess at the humidity. Out of 10 eggs, I had one hatch last night, 1 pipped from last night and 2 more pipped since this morning, with barely any progress. They look stuck in there and very tired. I know this was due to low humidity I'm sure and I hate to help, but since it was my fault, I feel like I should do something! I won't hatch again til I get new hygrometers. Tonight would technically be day 21 but one of them pipped 24 hours ago and is still stuck. I know people say don't open the bator and be patient...etc. and I am being patient. I just don't think these guys are physically able to get out on their own and the unpipped ones are probably stuck in there too. Hatching is so much fun, but so sad. I just don't know what to do

 

[Serrin]

If you had to take a guess at it, what would you say your current humidity level is Browneyebuttafly? Is there considerable condensation on the viewing panel of your incubator? (I'm making the assumption that you're using something like a Hovabator or LG) If you have condensation, you can pretty much believe that you have more than enough humidity in there.

I think you're going to have to pretty much sit on your hands sweetie and tough it out. You say one is already hatched? Well, at least you won't walk away from this completely emptied handed. And seriously, it really is early yet. I wouldn't become overly concerned until about 36 hours after the first pip. And even then, I think I'd get opinions from the experts. Thankfully, we have a good many of those around! There's bound to be someone available to give you better advice than I can. Good luck and keep us posted on their progress!

 

[Smokin Silkies]

Well for the first 18 days they were in my Genesis 1588 and no there was never any condensation on the windows. Then on day 18 I put them in my LG with fan. I had a staggered hatch so this is why I did that. I only had condensation on the window today and that's because, I'm assuming, one has hatched and 3 pipped? The holes big enough for me to see them and they are sticky and dry. I have ALL of the water troughs filled. I couldn't even guess on humidity because they were so off. First time I calibrated it, it said it was 16% off, then it was 20%, then 33% off. It was awful! Last year I used these twice and got good hatch rates...this year.....they are bad???

 

[Backyardmummy]

Which brings me to ask, should we see condensation on the windows? Is that a sign of too much humidity? My last experienced, i followed the instructions ie filled the water parts when i was meant to and they got shrink wrapped. Is it better to have more humidity than less?

From a little Tasmanian Devil.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

If it has been 24 hrs with no progress, if it were me, I would start helping. That is just how I am. I spend to much time watching, turning and electricity just to let them die. Especially if it was something I thought was my fault. If you help them and they die anyway at least you can say you tried. Helping chicks or ducks hatch is something you have to decide for yourself. Good luck with your decision. Good thoughts coming your way.

 

[Smokin Silkies]

Quote:
Good question! Anybody know the answer?

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Good question! Anybody know the answer?

No matter how high the humidity I never see condensation on the windows. Ever. Sounds like it would be WAY too high if you did. Mine is sitting at 30% (goal for a dry hatch) and steady. Even at 60% no condensation.

 

[Inthegame]

I wouldn't want to tell you what to do as I have always been told to just leave them alone " however" we just finished up a terrible hatch. We fought humidity the entire time and waiting just seemed to produce DOA's. I finally took every egg after it started to pip and slowly removed the shell.
the membrane had dried around them and they could not get out. I decided to place the eggs in a bucket of very warm water and remove the shell. End of story is we saved 28 chicks that woud have been lost. the minute we freed them from the shell we placed them under a heat lamp to dry. Not saying do this but it seemed to work for me. Hopefully everything will work out for you.

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Same here. If there is condensation ... the humidity is to high for me. High humidity on hatch days causes sticky chicks.

 

[duckluck]

I'm hardly what I would consider a veteran hatcher as yet, but last two times I hatched, when I noticed condensation starting, I creaked open the vents just enough to make it disappear in say, 1-2 hours. It seems to work, I only had 2 out of the last 9 not hatch, and they never pipped at all, internally or externally...I "eggtopsied" them to check.