Incubating eggs for the first time

[yoker]

sorry it took so long to answer but i was on holidays.
I covered it with bubble rap and it is alot better.
one hole open.
It is in a draft free place.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

I have all 4 of the holes open in mine, all the way through.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Ventilation is a VERY important part of incubation. See this link:

Pipped eggs that do not hatch

If chick embryos develop to the pipping stage, or at first shell cracking at hatching, they are normally healthy enough to hatch unless some incubator adjustment prevents it from happening. The problem is usually caused by either 1) poor ventilation or 2) improper humidity.

The air exchange requirement within an incubator is greatest during the last day of incubation. The chick embryo's oxygen requirement continually increases during development and especially when breathing using the respiratory system just before hatching. The vent openings are frequently restricted at this time in an attempt to boost incubator humidity. Instead of helping the chick hatch, the chick is suffocated from lack of ventilation. Never decrease ventilation openings at hatching in an attempt to increase humidity. Increase humidity by other methods. If any vent adjustments are made, they should be opened more.

msucares.com/poultry​