"Lockdown" Question (Incubating Chicken Eggs)

[ChickenGirl555]

I was just wondering if I was to start incubating at night (sometime later today) would lockdown begin during the 18th day's night (if that makes sense) or would it start that morning? I'm really just wondering when I should change the humidity and temperature. Its my first incubation and I'm only planning to do 4-6 eggs but I still haven't really found the stable amount of water to put in my incubator...I'm very worried!! Also, just to clarify, how much humidity is needed? I've heard 50-60%.

 

[nchls school]

Lockdown is not something that has to be exact. Morning? Night? It does not matter. Same with the rest-"about..." I guess, my eggs seem to always hatch on the 20th day. I lock down on the 17th day. My wife does staggered hatches and doesn't lockdown at all. And she gets good hatches.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

Lockdown is not something that has to be exact. Morning? Night? It does not matter. Same with the rest-"about..." I guess, my eggs seem to always hatch on the 20th day. I lock down on the 17th day. My wife does staggered hatches and doesn't lockdown at all. And she gets good hatches.

How particular is humidity? I've been trying my best to keep the humidity between 50-65% but I'm worried for how I'll keep it up during hatching. My father said "a chicken's butt can't be that exact" and he has no experience but it sounds right. Do I have to be super worried about it?

 

[nchls school]

Keep it as high as you can, but stop worrying; it does little good. Actually a chicken's butt is pretty exact. Do what you can to keep the humidity as you have it and good luck!

Where in WI do you live? I'm a WI transplant from Ladysmith.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

Keep it as high as you can, but stop worrying; it does little good. Actually a chicken's butt is pretty exact. Do what you can to keep the humidity as you have it and good luck!

Where in WI do you live? I'm a WI transplant from Ladysmith.

I live in South Eastern Wisconsin

 

[nchls school]

Milwaukee area then. I grew up in central WI; Eau Claire area.

I raise serama and silkie bantams, long tails, favorelles, quail, and a few odds and ends.

Good luck in hatching your eggs.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

Milwaukee area then. I grew up in central WI; Eau Claire area.

I raise serama and silkie bantams, long tails, favorelles, quail, and a few odds and ends.

Good luck in hatching your eggs.

Thanks!