Ok lockdown is Tuesday.... I've got swimming babies I'm all my eggs. But I have so many questions. To raise the humidity for the last 3 days is it ok to place containers of warm water inside the incubator? My humidity level had stayed between 35-55% through out. I know you want it higher for the last 3 days. Also I've seen different opinions about offering food as soon as they hatch. But I feel like leaving food in the incubator for 3 days with high humidity is asking for moldy feed. Lastly has anyone ever used the EcoGlow brooder? Is it safe to have the bedding underneath it? Any input is appreciated.
As long as your chicks can't drown in the tubs of water it's fine to put them in the incubator. If they could get in and drown use sponges or wet cloth to create the humidity. Humidity is created by the surface of water and not the depth. Chicks don't need to be fed when they first hatch, they live of the yolk they absorb prior to hatch so there is no need to have food in the incubator. They can survive after hatch for 3 days with no food or water but I like to get mine into the brooder after 24 hours. I use the Eco glows and have the bedding under it and have had no problems at all ~ Wishing you the very best of luck with your hatch
The easiest ways to increase humidity is to place a sponge in the incubator. Lots of surface area. A shallow dish will work but you have the danger of a chick drowning in it while they toss and turn during hatching. You would remove the hatched chick and place it in the brooder to feed it. Leaving it with the unhatched eggs will help motivate them to get the show on the road. They have enough food from the yolk to sustain them for at least 2-3 days. Bedding is fine under the eco glow. It doesn't get hot. The chicks warm themselves by making contact with the surface.
I use sponges in my bator at lockdown. I fill all my wells and place 2-3 sponges on the screen at egg level. Not only doesn it keep the humidity up good, when I do need a humidity boost (I'm a meddler), all I have to do is pull out a sponge and wet it. I don't like open containers at egg level where chicks can drown. I remove my chicks as they become active to the brooder where they have food and electrolyte enhanced water. I believe that food should be available, if they aren't ready, they won't eat. I just LOVE them!!
