Lockdown humidity?

[Bean15]

My chicken eggs go into lockdown today. I removed one ventilation plug, stopped turning the eggs, and got the humidity up to 60-70%. Is this correct? My incubator has to be opened in order to add water, is this ok? will it affect the hatch rate?

 

[MGG]

My chicken eggs go into lockdown today. I removed one ventilation plug, stopped turning the eggs, and got the humidity up to 60-70%. Is this correct? My incubator has to be opened in order to add water, is this ok? will it affect the hatch rate?

Mine has to be opened too, I mist the eggs with warm water when I open it so it doesn't effect the humidity. I've had good luck with that. As long as you try to keep opening to a minimum, it's no biggy. Sounds good. Good luck on your hatch!

 

[Bean15]

Mine has to be opened too, I mist the eggs with warm water when I open it so it doesn't effect the humidity. I've had good luck with that. As long as you try to keep opening to a minimum, it's no biggy. Sounds good. Good luck on your hatch!

Thanks! is it ok to quickly candle the eggs? I'm only hatching 3 eggs, so I want to see if they're still alive. last time I checked was last wednesday. I should probably keep the incubator closed and leave the eggs alone though...

 

[MGG]

Thanks! is it ok to quickly candle the eggs? I'm only hatching 3 eggs, so I want to see if they're still alive. last time I checked was last wednesday. I should probably keep the incubator closed and leave the eggs alone though...

Have any externally pipped yet? If not it's fine to do a quick candling. Try to only have them out for 5 minutes at the most though.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I use this to add water during lockdown if it is needed. Usually it's not, the hatch is over before I run out of water. I can enter mine through a vent hole and with a little inventive bending with these taped together accordion straws I can reach any reservoir.

 

[Bean15]

Have any externally pipped yet? If not it's fine to do a quick candling. Try to only have them out for 5 minutes at the most though.

None have pipped yet, so I took each out for only about a minute. the air cells look great and exactly how they should, so that's good news!

I use this to add water during lockdown if it is needed. Usually it's not, the hatch is over before I run out of water. I can enter mine through a vent hole and with a little inventive bending with these taped together accordion straws I can reach any reservoir.

View attachment 2077658

Thanks for that tip!

 

[cmom]

What incubators are you using? Just curious. Good luck and have fun...

 

[cmom]

Think of a broody, she gets off her nest daily usually to eat, drink and poop. To bring the humidity up quicker, you can mist the eggs with warm water. The humidity will shoot up pretty quickly. Give it some time to settle out. I keep mine around 75% during lock-down. I have a hatch due tomorrow & Wednesday.

 

[MGG]

Think of a broody, she gets off her nest daily usually to eat, drink and poop. To bring the humidity up quicker, you can mist the eggs with warm water. The humidity will shoot up pretty quickly. Give it some time to settle out. I keep mine around 75% during lock-down. I have a hatch due tomorrow & Wednesday.

X2. Good luck on your hatches! I too mist my eggs, it really helps IMO