incubating - Hova-Bator 1588

[Niema17]

I am hatching in a 1588 (I incubated in a brinsea octagon 20 and moved to the hovabator from day 18 forward to be able to see the hatch with the nice window). I would definitely get a separate thermometer/hygrometer, my machine's temp said it was running around 100 degrees and the humidity is in the mid 50's but my separate thermometer/hygrometer says temp was around 96-97 degrees and humidity was in the 70' s. I verified the 96-97 degrees with a second thermometer. (don't have a second hygrometer). To get my incubator to 99.1 for hatching (I heard that temp should be a little lower for hatching as the chicks create a lot of heat at the end of their time in the eggs) I had to set the incubator's temp at 103.5 degrees. I got my separate probe thermometer/hygrometer on line at incubator warehouse, but I am sure there are other places to get them.

PS thank you for aoxa for the post about opening after lock down, I have been sooo tempted to open the incubator up, but I sure don't want to shrink wrap/dry the little ones up, I started another thread with a question, the hatched chicks are knocking the pipped, unzipping eggs around this is ok right?

 

[aoxa]

I am hatching in a 1588 (I incubated in a brinsea octagon 20 and moved to the hovabator from day 18 forward to be able to see the hatch with the nice window). I would definitely get a separate thermometer/hygrometer, my machine's temp said it was running around 100 degrees and the humidity is in the mid 50's but my separate thermometer/hygrometer says temp was around 96-97 degrees and humidity was in the 70' s.  I verified the 96-97 degrees with a second thermometer.  (don't have a second hygrometer).  To get my incubator to 99.1 for hatching (I heard that temp should be a little lower for hatching as the chicks create a lot of heat at the end of their time in the eggs) I had to set the incubator's temp at 103.5 degrees.  I got my separate probe thermometer/hygrometer on line at incubator warehouse, but I am sure there are other places to get them.  

PS thank you for aoxa for the post about opening after lock down, I have been sooo tempted to open the incubator up, but I sure don't want to shrink wrap/dry the little ones up, I started another thread with a question, the hatched chicks are knocking the pipped, unzipping eggs around this is ok right?

Mine weren't even pipped and they shrink wrapped - so just because they aren't pipped, it doesn't mean opening won't hurt the eggs.

Mine played bowling with them like this as well. No issues. In fact, I think it may have encouraged the pipped eggs to work a bit faster lol.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Aoxa, you might want to look at this thread. It's long but it might help you. My guess is that by not adding water to your last hatch, you did not have enough background humidity. But you looked at the eggs and I did not.

Shrink wrap photos.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=491421

It also talks about problems with too much humidity. You don't see that discussed on this forum that much.

I still think there is a wide range that can give acceptable results based on what I've done, but we all seem to get different results with the same conditions. I think there is some trial and error involved in finding what works for each of us. Like practically everything else involving chickens, we can't just make a blanket statement that covers all of us. That does not make it any easier.

 

[Sally8]

I also believe that location plays a part in humidity during hatching. Back in April, for my first hatch, I fought to raise the humidity from 16% I was always adding a tbls of water at least once a day. I was using a Little Giant, no fan, Styrofoam incubator. I had several peck through the shell and die. From what I read, they probably drown. (The lady that I bought the fertile eggs from, told me to throw out my hygrometer. She said to NOT watch the humidity, even if it is only 16%) The 3rd hatch, I followed the "Dry Hatch Method" never adding a drop of water. by now it was nearly June and my humidity read 35%. All hatched but 1. After 3 continuous months of hatching, I did not check to see why this one didn't hatch. This isn't advice, just sharing my experience. I live in Central Upstate NY. Good luck.

I'd like to add that my temps ranged from 99 -102. At least once during each hatch, the temp rose to 104 for a very short time. The last hatch the temp went down to 70 for hours (our power had gone out while we were at work) Unbelievably, none of this seemed to matter. Keeping temps stable in a styrofoam incubator was difficult, but as I found out didn't matter as much as I thought. I had a 95+ hatch success.

 

[3 NH reds]

I tried my incubator for my 1st hatch. The result was kind of poor, the temp range got high perhaps up to 104*. I added more water than needed but humidity was 45% all the time. My problems were two fold, one was the temp went high and the second was the eggs were mailed. I now have it set up for a new batch of mail ordered eggs and the temp is 98* and I plan to leave it alone.We will see.

 

[aoxa]

Aoxa, you might want to look at this thread. It's long but it might help you. My guess is that by not adding water to your last hatch, you did not have enough background humidity. But you looked at the eggs and I did not.
Shrink wrap photos.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=491421
It also talks about problems with too much humidity. You don't see that discussed on this forum that much.
I still think there is a wide range that can give acceptable results based on what I've done, but we all seem to get different results with the same conditions. I think there is some trial and error involved in finding what works for each of us. Like practically everything else involving chickens, we can't just make a blanket statement that covers all of us. That does not make it any easier.

That's what they looked like Poor things. My humidity was always above 60% after day 18, but on day 19 it went down to 58% - I then opened to add a little container with a sponge of water to increase, and that must have been when it happened.. I feel so guilty for doing it. I thought - day 19.. How much could I hurt this hatch? Well I hurt it a lot!

Never, ever again. From now on, those little containers I put in will have to go in on day 18 - as my tray doesn't seem to keep it as high as I need it. If I need to add extra, it will be through the vent only.

At least it was 2 that hatched and not one. *sigh*

 

[leishajane]

I have tried two batches in my hovabator and they are not hatching. I can't seem to get it to stay above 97 degrees now. Do I need to unplug it and wait a few days before trying again? Something is definitely happening in the eggs- but I'm getting a lot of blood rings or eggs that stopped forming. Should I stop candling? I'm confused. :/