Little Giant 9200 Still Air Incubator - humidity

[crazychiknman]

Just bought this incubator today. Got it set up and temp steady at 99.5 (based on the thermometer that came with it). Put water in the channels as per instructions.
We've got 4 eggs in it now. They were the last 4 laid by our New Hampshire Red. Found her Thursday, killed by a hawk (I think). She was our favorite girl, so sweet. Really want these eggs to hatch.
Read partway through this thread already, but would appreciate any help you can give to help with a successful hatch. I know it may be a crap-shoot anyway, but hoping for the best. Pretty sure the eggs should be fertilized, they sat a couple days on the kitchen counter, not refrigerated.
Please let me know what has worked best for you using this incubator, so I can learn from your experience. Thanks so much.

 

[Rainier]

First sorry for the loss of your sweet girl.

Second the "themometer" that comes with the 9200 is not acurate to say the least. I highly recommend that you get a few different ones to compare.

I'm on day 13 and so far still have 5 out of the original 8 that I set. I am doing a dry hatch so my temp is at 101 with humidity between 30-35%.

This is my first hatch so I dont have much experience to share! Four of the eggs came from a neighbor and had been the fridge for several days. Four eggs came from my flock. Of the five eggs still dancing four are from the neighbor.

I'm on my tablet or I would post some helpful links. You can find those same links in the learning center.

Welcome to the thread.

ETA
Learning Center
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-and-raising-chicks

Cheat Sheet for Styrofoam Incubators
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/incubation-cheat-sheet

 

[Frizzlett]

Just bought this incubator today. Got it set up and temp steady at 99.5 (based on the thermometer that came with it). Put water in the channels as per instructions.
We've got 4 eggs in it now. They were the last 4 laid by our New Hampshire Red. Found her Thursday, killed by a hawk (I think). She was our favorite girl, so sweet. Really want these eggs to hatch.
Read partway through this thread already, but would appreciate any help you can give to help with a successful hatch. I know it may be a crap-shoot anyway, but hoping for the best. Pretty sure the eggs should be fertilized, they sat a couple days on the kitchen counter, not refrigerated.
Please let me know what has worked best for you using this incubator, so I can learn from your experience. Thanks so much.

I found a paper I had written some information down on when I got my first eggs and incubator. But first, you need an accurate thermometer. That was my biggest mistake. then, you can either do a dry hatch, which I've read is really successful, or your humidity needs to be 45-50% for the first 18 days and then 65% at hatch. Your may need to lower the humidity or increase it during hatch. I haven't had any hatch so I really don't know but I've researched a lot about hatching eggs. Good luck!

 

[JW12]

I got my new little giant set up and running! It has held steady temps for 2 days now. I splurged and got the egg turner to go with it. I set 12 heritage Rhode Island reds and 14 silver laced Wynadottes eggs. In the other bator 6 duck eggs are still going strong! I had 2 quitters though

 

[Rainier]

I got my new little giant set up and running! It has held steady temps for 2 days now. I splurged and got the egg turner to go with it. I set 12 heritage Rhode Island reds and 14 silver laced Wynadottes eggs. In the other bator 6 duck eggs are still going strong! I had 2 quitters though

Yeah! I want ducks so bad! Good luck with the chicks. I might get the egg turner but for now I turn by hand.

 

[Frizzlett]

Ranier,are you on 14 or 15? I'd love to see candling pictures before lockdown for future reference!

 

[Rainier]

Ranier,are you on 14 or 15? I'd love to see candling pictures before lockdown for future reference!

I am on day 16!

I candled this morning and got this picture of the chicks foot


It is a lot harder to get video now because my phone camera does not want to focus. I'm uploading the video's now and when they are done I'll edit this post and put them in!

ETA
Day 14

Day 16 (you can see the foot moving around)

 

[Frizzlett]

That's so cool! I wish mine made it that far. Well, made it to hatch. What breeds are they?

 

[Rainier]

That's so cool! I wish mine made it that far. Well, made it to hatch. What breeds are they?

This egg is from a neighbor who got it from a another neighbor. I haven't seen their flock so have no idea. Hatch day will be interesting. Only one of our eggs made it this far from our flock and it's a BR roo and Production Red hen.

 

[Frizzlett]

Oh. It will be interesting. Hatching mystery chicks. I've got to try that. The excitement would be overwhelming. Can't wait to see the new hatched chicks!