Lockdown Humidity Question

[lazy gardener]

There is a debatable benefit to closing the vents during the first week of incubation. It is not clear if that really helps with hatch rates though and it is too easy to forget that they are closed. I had some die in the brinsea when the vent(has a slider not a plug) was accidentally closed one time.

I am very wary of vents now

The theory behind closing vents during the first 10 days of development is this: If 02 level is decreased, the embryo responds by laying down a larger vascular system in the membranes to compensate. That larger vascular system can then benefit gas exchange throughout the rest of the incubation period. My thought process goes like this: While studies have shown this to be so, Mama hen does not limit 02 supply to her eggs. So, I'm going to follow her example.

 

[Mosey2003]

I bet there is less oxygen in a full incubator than a nearly empty one, too. This last hatch I just ran is the best I've had yet, and it was the only one in recent memory that I actually filled it to capacity. I won't risk forgetting to take vents out regardless, though.

 

[Kiki]

Have you been candling the eggs through out to watch the growth and air cells?


I agree...trash the vent plugs....I actually did trash my vent plugs.
I also have to say you can't follow anyone's rules to a T.
You have to watch your eggs and make changes that work for your bator/area.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

Thank you! Yes, I've been watching the air cells. I've been trying to bother them as little as possible but I'm also super excited about them. I haven't been taking them out of the turner when I candle unless they look like they quit/had a blood ring. I do have a couple with slippery air cells, they were all shipped eggs. Those were still moving the last I checked though. I'm going to take the turner out this evening and check the air cells again.

 

[Kiki]

Thank you! Yes, I've been watching the air cells. I've been trying to bother them as little as possible but I'm also super excited about them. I haven't been taking them out of the turner when I candle unless they look like they quit/had a blood ring. I do have a couple with slippery air cells, they were all shipped eggs. Those were still moving the last I checked though. I'm going to take the turner out this evening and check the air cells again.

Great!
Get a few quick pics of a couple of them tonight.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

I will do that! I have some AustraWhite and OEGB eggs that photograph really well, you can see the detail in them really clearly.

 

[Kiki]

I will do that! I have some AustraWhite and OEGB eggs that photograph really well, you can see the detail in them really clearly.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

Ok. Today is Day 17:

 

[KikiLeigh02]

I cracked one. Is it hopeless? Are they too close together?

 

[Kiki]

They are looking good!