Lockdown and hatching?

[Ch1ck3n5]

hi!
So my 3 eggs that seem to have been growing are at day 19 now, almost at the end of the day. I haven’t noticed any movement or shell cracking yet, and put them in lockdown yesterday, I have a few questions about what I should do to make sure I don’t do anything wrong at this point. I’m not using a incubator, I’ve been using a shoebox and a lamp and have it surrounded with blankets to keep it warm. I candled my eggs before I locked them down and everything seemed to be good. But my questions are how do I keep restocking the water for humitidy if I’m suppose to keep the “incubator” shut from now on? And when should I expect the first shell pip? This is all new to me so the more help the better!

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Is it a plastic shoebox? How are you monitoring/judging humidity levels?

 

[Ch1ck3n5]

Is it a plastic shoebox? How are you monitoring/judging humidity levels?

Cardboard shoe box surrounded by blankets, very humid and warm inside , I was using a humidity monitor to test the water when I opened the box quickly yesterday to put more water in, should I open the box again today to check the humidity or leave it closed?

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Being cardboard you might have to add more water because the paper would absorb some, but you also don't want to go too high and make it soggy and collapse. I would go ahead and check it as I think you're more at risk for being too dry. Next time I'd suggest making it out of something non absorbent and non flammable.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

I also wouldn't leave that unattended as that is a huge fire risk, especially since it's being wrapped in even more flammable material.