Lockdown question

[babsbag]

I am using a home made incubator. Lockdown is in 5 days. When I go into lockdown can I block all the holes? I am having a hard time getting the humidity to stay up and I think closing the vents will help. Is that OK?

 

[Bravo]

You should have a few air exchange holes but you can block off some of the larger ones no problem. You could also add a few wet sponges to help

 

[babsbag]

Thank you. I just wasn't sure if the air exchange was needed during lockdown as well. I am glad I asked.

I have sponges in there now, plus bowls of water and humidity is running about 44%. I haven't tried to raise it because I wanted to try incubating with it a little drier. But I want to bump it up to at least 60-65 for hatching. I know it is the amount of surface area of the water that makes the difference so I guess I will just try to make more room for more water. I have 5 days to get it right.

This is my absolute first hatch so I am really excited. so far it looks like 10 of my 16 eggs are good to go. The others are clear. I may not even candle again at this point. With my luck I would crack one of the good ones.

4 of the eggs are from my standard size barred rock, and all of my roosters are bantams. None of her eggs ever started to develop, although I see bullseyes in the ones I eat. Is there any reason that they should not have been viable eggs?