Incubators Anonymous

[Lizz9311]

I normally run my incubator for about a week to make sure temp is good and stable and where I put my incubator won't mess with the temp

I've been scoping out this particular room for a week now and the temperature and humidity in the room stay fairly constant (within 5 degrees F). I've had the incubator running in the room for what will be 48 hours before I add my eggs. (At this point, it may be longer until I can get my humidity stuff under control.)

Since I'm attempting a dry hatch this time around, I read up on humidity levels and I saw that 25% or lower humidity is too low to dry hatch at. The humidity in the room is 55%. The humidity in my incubator is 23% without added water. If I add a teaspoon of water, the humidity goes up to 38%, but then drops back down to 23% after 12 hours. Do I need to add more water after all? I was hoping to avoid having to hover over the incubator watching my humidity this time around. Any thoughts and advice welcome!

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
my dry hatches are usually 5-15%... not sure where you saw 25% being the minimum, but if it's 23 I'd run with it. it's not an exact measurement you need, most hygrometers fluctuate +/- 5-10% from the actual reading anyways. use 5 of the same brand, in the same location, you'll get 5 different numbers most times.

 

[griggy]

Hi everyone, I'm on my first incubator hatch after I loved watching my broody hatch one little egg My eggs are set to hatch late Saturday/early Sunday (or at least that will be 3 weeks after I set them.) Today I see a few of them moving. Is that normal? I thought they wouldn't start rocking for a few more days. Thanks for any help.

 

[Kelsykin]

12 Welsummer eggs in the bator. Due to hatch June 29th.

Awaiting on 12+ Silkie eggs, 5+ d'Uccle eggs, 8 Buff Sebright eggs, 7 Ginger Red eggs, and 12+ mixed eggs.

 

[Ryoohkey]

I've had a few eggs jump around way before hatching one seemed to hate it when i turned its eggs its was pretty interesting to watch and they hatched just fine

 

[Runawaylobster]

I've had a few eggs jump around way before hatching one seemed to hate it when i turned its eggs its was pretty interesting to watch and they hatched just fine

once they are in lockdown you don't need to turn them any more. The chick inside is using that time period to absorb the yolk and get itself into position
to hatch. The turning is much more important in the early stages of incubation.

Have fun!!

 

[Pooman]

Hi everyone, I'm on my first incubator hatch after I loved watching my broody hatch one little egg My eggs are set to hatch late Saturday/early Sunday (or at least that will be 3 weeks after I set them.) Today I see a few of them moving. Is that normal? I thought they wouldn't start rocking for a few more days. Thanks for any help.

In my 5 or so hatches out of incubators they have always gone faster than a broody, usually have chicks out of shell by the start of day 20 and all finished up and in brooder by the time day 21 clicks over. Moving around and cheeping is normal. So much fun. However, you need to leave them still and stop opening the incubator..... Resist the urge. Look but dont touch and dont help. Keep it closed until they are done. Good luck.

 

[griggy]

In my 5 or so hatches out of incubators they have always gone faster than a broody, usually have chicks out of shell by the start of day 20 and all finished up and in brooder by the time day 21 clicks over. Moving around and cheeping is normal. So much fun. However, you need to leave them still and stop opening the incubator..... Resist the urge. Look but dont touch and dont help. Keep it closed until they are done. Good luck.

So should I stop turning, even though it is only day 15? Should I increase the humidity?

 

[ladycat]

So should I stop turning, even though it is only day 15? Should I increase the humidity?

Turn until day 18.

 

[Pooman]

Keep turning them for a few more days, i stop at day 18