Incubator questions?

[BackyardDove]

First off, in the instructions I got with my new incubator, it says that I should turn off the egg turner three days before the eggs hatch. What about if the egg hatches early, or late? If it hatches early, since I wasn't able to turn off the egg turner three days before it hatched, what happens to the chick? And what about if it hatches late, will it still hatch even though it wasn't being turned for more than three days, since it took more time to hatch? Also, it says that I need to open the ventilator plugs to let the chicks dry after hatching, but how long do the chicks need to stay in the incubator after hatching?

I'm also not understanding how I'm suppose to control the humidity. Does the machine regulate the humidity and I just keep it stocked with water, in case it need to increase the humidity? Or am I suppose to somehow control the humidity? I live in Texas, where the humidity reaches 60%-100% easily on any given day, so should I even need to worry about humidity?

The incubator I'm using is the Circulated Air Incubator Model 4300.

 

[chicapee]

I would invest in a decent thermometer and hygrometer that can be calibrated. The built in one's are usually off by alot. If your incubating temperature is correct you shouldn't have any early or late hatches. I incubate almost dry for days 1 thru 18 then increase the humidity between 65 to 75% for the last 3 days. I leave the vents open the whole time as the eggs will need good air exchange. If you go to the learning center on byc, there is very good information. Good luck.

 

[BackyardDove]

I would invest in a decent thermometer and hygrometer that can be calibrated. The built in one's are usually off by alot. If your incubating temperature is correct you shouldn't have any early or late hatches. I incubate almost dry for days 1 thru 18 then increase the humidity between 65 to 75% for the last 3 days. I leave the vents open the whole time as the eggs will need good air exchange. If you go to the learning center on byc, there is very good information. Good luck.

But how does the humidity mechanism work? The incubator I have circulates air, so there is no need to open the vents until hatch day.

 

[chicapee]

They still require fresh air, eggs are porous and exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen like we do. The fan is to help disperse the heat more evenly. The hygrometer measures the RH% the built in one's are generally off. The instructions that come with the bator are wrong. There is an article on here that alot of people follow regarding dry incubation, I will try to find the link for you.

 

[chicapee]

http://letsraisechickens.weebly.com...anuals-understanding-and-controlling-humidity

 

[chicapee]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

 

[BackyardDove]

They still require fresh air, eggs are porous and exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen like we do. The fan is to help disperse the heat more evenly. The hygrometer measures the RH% the built in one's are generally off. The instructions that come with the bator are wrong. There is an article on here that alot of people follow regarding dry incubation, I will try to find the link for you.

Oh, I see! Thank you very much for the information/links! The eggs I plan to place in the incubator are very special/irreplaceable, so I need everything to go as perfectly as possible. I'm likely going to run the incubator dry, according to the hydrometer there's about 55% humidity in the incubator if running dry. I know it may be inaccurate, so I will go and buy another hydrometer, but I doubt I'll have to worry about humidity since it's always humid here anyways. For the last three days, though, I'll add in a damp rag just to bump up the humidity a bit. Just to be sure, I'll check the egg's air sacs every week to make sure they're growing properly. I'll have the vents closed for the first 10 days since I read that doing so actually helps them, then unplug one of the two plugs up until hatch day, when I'll unplug the second plug too. I'll keep the temperature at 99.5 degree's since the air is circulated, then decrease it down to 98 on hatch day. Does this sound good, or did I leave something out?

 

[chicapee]

Sounds great. Just double or triple check the temps. Good luck. Finger crossed for a great hatch.
You dont need to decrease temp. I have tried both ways doesn't make a difference. Your thermostat may be touchy so I would leave it at 99.5

 

[BackyardDove]

Alright, thank you!

 

[MeepBeep]

Your thermostat may be touchy so I would leave it at 99.5

I agree with this, no need to mess with the temp the last few days and risk something going bad, just keep it at the 99.5° for the hatch...