Lock down not going as expected.

[Pasha1]

It's day 20. Still have some time left and am crossing all appendages. Last night the temp in my LG still air dropped down to 98.7 I upped it this am and it's bouncing between 100 and 102. My humidity is also down. Tried adding water to my 3 dry sponges in a steamed bathroom but its at 59% and not rising. I can get it up by closing one air vent but was told it's best to have those open. Really discouraged. It's nearly impossible to control all these variables. Had been doing so well until last night. Even had a couple rockers. They haven't moved at all so far today.

Hopefully it will average out soon and hasn't done any damage.

 

[Pasha1]

*Update* Temp is now 97.7. I don't understand what's wrong. It's not thermometer... unless all 3 are wrong.

 

[scbatz33]

Close your vents. Another thing you can try is to duct tape around the two halves. LGs are notorious for not sitting snugly together and that can allow your humidity to escape.

I'd also add warm water, if you're not already when you "fill" the sponges.

 

[buckaroo's wife]

Keeping humidity up is all about surface area - try adding a maxi pad or another sponge and keep those wet. And use warm water. Good luck!!!!

 

[Pasha1]

I just closed one vent and the humidity is already up to 65%. So at worst it was 59% for 2-3 hours. It was 61% when we woke up. I added hot water that I heated in the microwave for about 2 min.

Now I am playing with the temp. I have to get that up.

Knew I would have problems when I (without realizing what I was doing set eggs every day for a week.) Today is the only day I don't have to open the hatcher to add eggs. Figures today would be the day I have all the problems.

 

[buckaroo's wife]

I have heard that lower temps aren't bad - that it'll just take the eggs a little longer to hatch (ie they may hatch day 22-23 etc.) Sending good hatching thoughts your way!

 

[calgal98]

I run my hatch humidity the same as my incubation humidity-- right at 50%. I bring it up to about 53-54 but have had good hatches with this. Don't worry about the fluctuations, just do the best ya can.. I have tried raising it in the past, but I just don't think it necessary. The hen doesn't raise her humidity, she just *locks down* or sits on the eggs without getting up.

I do realize there are many different approaches to hatching, but this is working well for me (hatching as I type!)

 

[Pasha1]

Thanks Buckaroo. Temp is rising. I was slightly more concerned about the humidity. I have 3 sponges in the the LG and the water wells filled. This am the sponges were dry. Was holding 65-67% humidity with the vents open for 2 days then today it bottomed out. I had 4 sponges during my test run but took one out because the humidty was 87%. I am still perplexed at why my temp is dropping so randomly my daughter just said its at 100.7.

Anyone have problems with stable temp in an LG still air?

 

[scbatz33]

LG's are very hard to get set, but once you do, they seem to be ok. I hatch in an LG and incubate in a 1588 but for the last couple weeks I've had more eggs than space so I've been incubating int eh LG. It's sitting right at about 100 on top of the eggs. I know it should be a tad higher for still air, but I got it to stabilize there so I've left it alone!!

Like someone else said, it may take a bit longer for them to hatch at the lower temp, but they should still be fine.

 

[Pasha1]

Quote:
This gives me hope. And if I am lucky I will start seeing something tomorrow on hatch day. Have 5 that are due tomorrow and 2 on Monday. Adding another 6 tomorrow as long as no one is pipping and I can get the humidity stable.