Least invasive checking/weighing during incubation

[Rethia]

My brand new first-time-ever incubator just arrived (IncuView 3) and I have it set up and testing humidity measurements and temperature against separate calibrated hygrometers.

I'm going to be putting eggs in on Wednesday (2/26) and I was hoping to know, is there a least invasive way to do measurements and candling during the incubation period? Just opening the top of the incubator for a second dropped the temperature by about a degree and interior humidity by 2-3%, which isn't much, but the egg on the outside will be out for a minute or two at least. So really, my question is two part:

1. Will it harm the developing chicks to be removed to a colder/less humid climate for a short period of time while they are being checked?

2. If I am candling and weighing the eggs, does it matter if they are out of the incubator for a little bit? Will opening the cover over and over mess with the other chicks that are still inside?

I've been reading a lot of the (extremely helpful) articles about incubation (shout out to WVduckchick and Pyxis) and I am just trying to dial everything in before I officially get started! Thanks!

 

[GodLovesU]

It’s ok if the eggs are out of the incubator for a little while. Try not to exceed 5-10 minutes. Temperature is maintained better on the inside of the egg. How often are you planning to candle them?

 

[Toothpick]

I've never weighed the eggs. - what is the purpose of that?

The eggs will be fine as mentioned above. A broody hen will get off her nest at least once a day usually.

I completely take the cover off my incubator for candling. 22 eggs. Probably takes 10 minutes or so. Temp and humidity go back to normal ranges rather quickly.

 

[Rethia]

I've never weighed the eggs. - what is the purpose of that?

The eggs will be fine as mentioned above. A broody hen will get off her nest at least once a day usually.

I completely take the cover off my incubator for candling. 22 eggs. Probably takes 10 minutes or so. Temp and humidity go back to normal ranges rather quickly.

It's one of the quantitative ways to measure how much moisture the eggs are losing (10-12% of total mass is what you aim for) to balance incubator humidity level.

 

[Rethia]

It’s ok if the eggs are out of the incubator for a little while. Try it to exceed 5-10 minutes. Temperature is maintained better on the inside of the egg. How often are you planning to candle them?

Probably every 6 days so the last time I do it is pretty soon before lockdown. So I guess three times?

 

[Toothpick]

It's one of the quantitative ways to measure how much moisture the eggs are losing (10-12% of total mass is what you aim for) to balance incubator humidity level.

Ahh ok. I've never got that scientific about it. The incubators I use tell me what the humidity is and I trust them.

 

[Rethia]

Ahh ok. I've never got that scientific about it. The incubators I use tell me what the humidity is and I trust them.

I love data. Plus it gives me something to obsess over in the short term and then go away for a bit and do again instead of staring through the top of the incubator incessantly for 21 days.

 

[GodLovesU]

Probably every 6 days so the last time I do it is pretty soon before lockdown. So I guess three times?

Ok, that’s a good amount.