loading my incubator on 4-12...anybody else?????

[weimarmama]

Put mine on lockdown earlier tonight.

 

[clayb226]

I started out with 24 eggs, at lock down, down to 13. I was wanting to get my humidity up to 65%, but with a sponge I am only hitting 50%. This is 12 hour into lockdown.

EDIT: The sponge was not getting humidity up high enough, so I opened the incubator and put a wash cloth in there, and got it wet. Hopefully this helps. I know you are not supposed to open it after lockdown is started, but that is to keep the humidity in, my humidity was too low anyway, wanted to get it up before it was too late.

 

[clayb226]

Quote:
With in minutes of this, slight, modification; the humidity is up to 55%!! I will monitor it and see how it all goes, and let you know.

 

[dolly85]

55% is okay, and it will go up once the chicks begin to hatch. Mine will go from 60% to 80% once the first chick pops out! It seems I have eggs due around the same time as you guys. I have a staggered hatch, and have been putting in eggs once or twice a week. I have 6 eggs that went into lockdown last night and 10 more that go into lockdown tomorrow. Good luck hatching everyone!!! We are almost there! I'm lucky to have the next 3 days off work to watch these little guys.

 

[weimarmama]

I've been having trouble keeping my humidity up, too, in our new incubator with a fan, but no problems at all with my still air one that has eggs in it. Probably have to put some more water in it tonight through the vent plug. Dolly85's right, though, humidity will go up when they start hatching. On my last hatch, after the first chick zipped it stayed between 70-77%.

Anyways, we did have a surprise this morning. Two of our broody Pekin's eggs have hatched so far. The poor girl has been so dedicated to those eggs, so I'm glad she has something to show for it.

 

[weimarmama]

Just came in from feeding the goats & I checked on my eggs. I for sure have at least 2 pips!

Both of them are Dom Xs. I think one of the Blue Giants might be pipped, too. A couple of the Giants were rocking & peeping quite a bit late last night. Ah, I just love incubating

This is always the best part of it.

 

[clayb226]

I have my first rocker, starting to get impatient now. I keep looking through the window and have no idea how long the rest could take. My kids even got to see it, too cool.

 

[dolly85]

Oh I'm so jealous of you weimarmama and clayb226! I don't have any pips yet!! At this point I have to sit on my hands because I'm just too nosy for my own good! I like to candle them and see if they've internally pipped....... I'm resisting for now! lol Mine usually internally pip on day 18 and I have my first external on day 19. THEN it takes another day or so for them to zip and finish hatching. Oh the waiting!

 

[clayb226]

Quote:
Yeah, Tom Petty must of owned chickens, he has been quoted as saying, "The waiting is the hardest part!!"

 

[emjay]

lockdown happens tonite. already, second go around is easier, goes by quicker. I put the eggs in the bator, and basically ignored them. (besides checking temps and humidity)
no checking of eggs (no candling) nothing
no smellies in there, so far so good