LOCKDOWN??????????

[Dcat]

Hhmm, not sure but should be ok.. Do you have a hydrometer so you can see what the humidity is? They are inexpensive and give you some peace of mind too. The washcloth was a good idea, especially if your troughs dry out so fast.

 

[M Durham]

No hydrometer and stores are closed. I was able to add water to troughs with a bulb syringe. Praying they'll all make it. Two pips this morning...36 to go!

 

[DeannaMari]

I think you'll be fine honestly. The way we used to add water is we'd get little cheap sponges from the dollar store, and use a shot glass and put the shot glass with sponges in there, because we had a problem where all the water would just drain out. It worked wonderfully. Just make sure you have a good humidity, really the thing to tell you is if your chicks are hatching or not!

 

[Dcat]

A friend of mine grew up on a farm, they kept their eggs in a wooden box with a light bulb and misted the eggs twice a day. Their eggs hatched fine. I believe you are good to go too!
Yay pips!!!

 

[dannyisforreal]

Thanks, for the info. For some reason none of my chickens hatched this time but thats for another thread. Maybe next time ill get luckier.

Thanks, Dan

 

[M Durham]

Thanks for the humidity tips! Four have hatched and six more pips are visible so the humidity must be ok after all. Such a wonderful way to celebrate Easter! Our kids are thrilled! We can't stop watching!!

 

[Dawnrenae]

Day 18!!! Getting ready now for final candling, weighing, and lockdown!!!

With on trough filled I have been running at about 45-50% humidity. Will filling another cause too much humidity or should I just put in a couple of wet towels?

Also, I have seen absolutely no signs of life, other than what's inside growing... Wish me luck?

 

[Dcat]

Hey, I'm on day 18 also! I didn't weigh my eggs but all 5 are rocking here and there. I try to keep my humidity between 65-70, you don't want it lower than 55% for sure. I'm thinking you could either add towels or just add a little water at a time to the other trough until your humidity is at a level you want, just keep an eye on it in case you need to add more water.
I'm really hoping that I kept the temps better this time at 102 for still air, my first hatch was about 3 days late and this one seems to be right on time. I didn't have any rocking eggs this early with the last one. As long as they don't try to hatch Saturday as I wont be home most of the day and will miss it. I am so excited I find myself staring at them too much and driving myself nuts.

Good luck with yours, don't worry too much about them not moving, they could be doing a lot of resting getting ready.

 

[Dawnrenae]

Hey, I'm on day 18 also! I didn't weigh my eggs but all 5 are rocking here and there. I try to keep my humidity between 65-70, you don't want it lower than 55% for sure. I'm thinking you could either add towels or just add a little water at a time to the other trough until your humidity is at a level you want, just keep an eye on it in case you  need to add more water.
  I'm really hoping that I kept the temps better this time at 102 for still air, my first hatch was about 3 days late and this one seems to be right on time. I didn't have any rocking eggs this early with the last one. As long as they don't try to hatch Saturday as I wont be home most of the day and will miss it. I am so excited I find myself staring at them too much and driving myself nuts.

  Good luck with yours, don't worry too much about them not moving, they could be doing a lot of resting getting ready.

Thanks! Keeping my fingers crossed.
It's my first hatch!

Unlucky for my, my incubator is not in a place that we can easily watch. I was hoping to put in a web cam, but, it got lost. But, I guess I'll just be keeping an eye. And as far as helping, if need be, I hope I will be able to.

I am going to try geese next and if I can talk my neighbor into it, some seramas.

 

[Dcat]

I keep mine in an upstairs spare room, I have to go up the stairs and open the door to look at them, LOL. It helps a little bit. Just remember that it can take them 24 hours or more after they pip to actually hatch, this is my second hatch and on my first one I tried to assist and it just needed more time, not my help, sigh.
I have some call duck eggs too but I don't think they are fertile so I'll have to go find some that are. I really want to hatch some Polish standards, they are so pretty but I can only seem to find them where I will have to have them shipped, not sure I want to do that yet.
Just remember also, patience is key, it is sooo hard but necessary, LOL.