Lockdown humidity

[MyCritterAddiction]

This is my first time hatching. I put fifteen chicken eggs in the little giant incubator 18 days ago; tonight starts lockdown. Thirteen chicks have developed and look like they are happy inside the last candling. I had two with early death. I am worried about not being able to keep my humidity up like it should be during lockdown. It has been stable around 50% all during the incubation. What should the humidity be and how much would be too much? I have been very diligent through this whole process and I would hate to loose my babies at this final stage. I am on pins and needles. Any information would be appreciated.

 

[2 many chickens]

65% is where I keep it at lockdown. When chicks are born it goes up slightly, that's fine.

 

[MyCritterAddiction]

65% is where I keep it at lockdown. When chicks are born it goes up slightly, that's fine.

I have 3 small sponges in there right now; should I add something besides those or more sponges to get it up. I only have one stopper in, I will place the other in tonight after removing the turner. Thanks for the information!

 

[2 many chickens]

I have 3 small sponges in there right now; should I add something besides those or more sponges to get it up. I only have one stopper in, I will place the other in tonight after removing the turner. Thanks for the information!

You're welcome, what's the humidity at right now? you can def. Add another sponge if the humidity is not high enough. Is there a hole where you can add water in the incubator without opening it? With my hovabator there is an air hole on top and I stick a long straw down to the water chambers and add water to raise humdity without even opening it. That way no humidity drops happen.

 

[MyCritterAddiction]

You're welcome, what's the humidity at right now? you can def. Add another sponge if the humidity is not high enough. Is there a hole where you can add water in the incubator without opening it? With my hovabator there is an air hole on top and I stick a long straw down to the water chambers and add water to raise humdity without even opening it. That way no humidity drops happen.

I will not go into lockdown until I get home from work this evening. My humidity has been averaging around 50% since day one or so. I do live in Mississippi and right now we are hot and humid outside! Inside my house is around 65-68, but not sure of the inside humidity. My chicks look so good and moving so much on day 14, I don't want them to die during hatch! I keep reading so many different things on hatch humidity! I am going to try to keep it around 70%, I think. Just hope I can maintain it. Our humidity is supposed to increase in the next few days and into the weekend with rain expected. My estimated hatch day is this Friday. Let's hope all goes well! I'm gonna just cry if they don't make it!!!

 

[2 many chickens]

You wanna know something awesome? I go into lockdown today, and have some hatching Friday and Saturday!!! How cool is that, both having hatches the same day.

 

[2 many chickens]

Just took the turner out and trying to raise humidity, it's slowly going up, 58% now

 

[2 many chickens]

I have good faith that we both will have lots of little fluff butts!!

 

[MyCritterAddiction]

You wanna know something awesome? I go into lockdown today, and have some hatching Friday and Saturday!!! How cool is that, both having hatches the same day.

Cool!!
I have put mine in lockdown! Humidity cane up in lower 80's no problem, but I can't get my temp back up to 99-100! It's staying around 97-98! I increased the temp on my thermostat slightly and it still hasn't gone up. It's been about 3-4 hours! Any ideas? Does the temp need to be 99-100 during this time or is 97-98 okay? I'm VERY concerned!!!

 

[2 many chickens]

Cool!!
I have put mine in lockdown! Humidity cane up in lower 80's no problem, but I can't get my temp back up to 99-100! It's staying around 97-98! I increased the temp on my thermostat slightly and it still hasn't gone up. It's been about 3-4 hours! Any ideas? Does the temp need to be 99-100 during this time or is 97-98 okay? I'm VERY concerned!!!

Usually temp drops a bit as humidity rises, that is okay!!
How is it going so far?
I have one egg that is pipped!! I see one other egg rocking about. That's it so far!!
Humidity is 65, isn't sticking for long so I'm adding water often through the vent hole.