I'm glad to be a member. I am trying to hatch Black Copper Marans eggs to go with the two birds that

[Flock Master64]

You should go in between and put it at 25

 

[FridayYet]

Here we go! I thought I would get chicks because I have the one baby that hatched and I want her to have some companions as she matures. Right now she is with 20 Guineas the same age. Now for the new eggs. They came this morning and I got out my flashlight that they advertise on tv that police use and can see a mile over water. Now, I can see inside the eggs some, but it does not show a definite air cell. I have them sitting in a clean new carton pointed side down. The lady that I got the eggs from says she incubates at 20-30% humidity from beginning to end. So, I am going to set my humidity at 30% instead of 35% and candle those eggs weekly to watch that air cell develop.

. I am concerned about leaving the humidity at 30 from day 18 on, but that's what she does with good results. As full of fluid as these eggs seem to be maybe her method is the way to go. What do you think?

I'd do 30% to start. If you candle weekly, you can adjust the humidity as needed. At day 7, if the air cells seem to small, drop the humidity some. If the air cells are growing too big, you can raise it up a bit. If still a bit too small at day 18, delay raising your humidity until day 19 or 20, or until you hear cheeping/internal pip.

Humidity is not a set number until you have a bunch of batches under your belt and know what works best for your eggs and your incubator. Even then, you'll end up adjusting as needed.

 

[Flock Master64]

I truly have no idea what you should do, I don't incubate eggs I let the hens lay on them when there ready

 

[RubyNala97]

Here we go! I thought I would get chicks because I have the one baby that hatched and I want her to have some companions as she matures. Right now she is with 20 Guineas the same age. Now for the new eggs. They came this morning and I got out my flashlight that they advertise on tv that police use and can see a mile over water. Now, I can see inside the eggs some, but it does not show a definite air cell. I have them sitting in a clean new carton pointed side down. The lady that I got the eggs from says she incubates at 20-30% humidity from beginning to end. So, I am going to set my humidity at 30% instead of 35% and candle those eggs weekly to watch that air cell develop.

. I am concerned about leaving the humidity at 30 from day 18 on, but that's what she does with good results. As full of fluid as these eggs seem to be maybe her method is the way to go. What do you think?

I think you're on the right track!! Are you talking about leaving the humidity at 30% for days 18-21?? I do not think she meant that she hatches at 30%. I would not recommend doing that. I have heard of eggs being forgotten about and actually hatching out at low humidity but I swear, I do not think you'll have a problem at lockdown by raising humidity. If you want to keep it on the lower side then shoot for 60-65%.

 

[FridayYet]

I think you're on the right track!! Are you talking about leaving the humidity at 30% for days 18-21?? I do not think she meant that she hatches at 30%. I would not recommend doing that. I have heard of eggs being forgotten about and actually hatching out at low humidity but I swear, I do not think you'll have a problem at lockdown by raising humidity. If you want to keep it on the lower side then shoot for 60-65%.

Good catch, Ruby. I read right past that part.

 

[RubyNala97]

Good catch, Ruby.  I read right past that part.

I read it twice to be sure I was reading what I thought I was reading.

 

[JoeyCurrin]

I was surprised to to hear that " I run my humidity between 20-30% through the entire hatch". It scares me as I don't want stick chicks from low humidity at lockdown. I am in favor of increasing it to 60 at lockdown also. I even thought about 50%. as a compromise. What difficult choices to make. I do know that I really have to keep an eye on thr air cell this time.

 

[Choco Maran]

I have tried to hatch BCM twice for a total of 12 eggs (shipped) and I have had 0% hatch. All have died during lockdown. I bought some day old and I will hatch their eggs next year. I have about 50%-75% hatch with my own eggs.

 

[Flock Master64]

I have tried to hatch BCM twice for a total of 12 eggs (shipped) and I have had 0% hatch. All have died during lockdown. I bought some day old and I will hatch their eggs next year.  I have about 50%-75% hatch with my own eggs.  

What's lockdown?

 

[Choco Maran]

Lockdown is days 18-21 when you do not turn the eggs, the humidity goes up, and you try not to open the bator during the last few days before the eggs hatch