Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[wrathsfarm]

Does anyone incubate? First timer here and I've fired mine up in a rush and set eggs yesterday morning because I lost one of my girls and didn't want to waste her eggs. Was planning to test mate her in March/April with my other rooster who was moved in with them mid December.
Not the most ideal scenario going but I've got 13 Black Copper Marans eggs, 2 Olive egger eggs because she just started laying and 3 Midnight Majesty eggs a brewin'.
My question is I can't get the humidity to drop in my NR 360.
Humidity has been hovering around 56, 57 and I'm trying to lower it to 45-50. The vent is wide open now and removed b side water cover to allow more venting but only it's only dropped to 54 by this morning.
Not sure what else I can do to lower the humidity a bit more.
Any ideas? Prop the lid open a crack?
I'm not expecting a good hatch rate with swapping roosters on 12/21 except Ravens (BCM). The mixed flock didn't take to their 'new roo' right away so them eggs are iffy.
Any suggestions?

 

[1muttsfan]

Have you double checked the humidity readings with a different gauge?

 

[1muttsfan]

I've had a few interesting bird encounters recently.
Bird number one - caught in a fishing line, we netted it , hauled him out of the water, and remove the line and hook. Bird had a leg tag. Turns out it's 16 years old, tagged 15 years ago around 50 mi north of us.

 

[1muttsfan]

Bird number two we had seen the day before but couldn't catch, as it was out on the water. BF was down on the fishing dock today and the bird had made it up there and was begging for fish, either injured or entangled in fishing line. He caught it and took it to a local wildlife rehab place.

 

[aart]

Does anyone incubate?

I've done a fair amount.
Keeping bator in a room that is steady in temps(at least 68°F) and free of drafts will help immensely.
Bator temps must stay steady, more important than humidity.
Get a good therm.
I use this one.
Jumped thru many hoops before learning how to buy a good one.

Humidity can vary quite a bit without dire results.
I candled and traced air cells on days 5-7-10-14-18 to track if eggs were losing too much moisture or not enough.

Turns out it's 16 years old, tagged 15 years ago around 50 mi north of us.

Pelicans?

 

[Sally PB]

Get a good therm.

On your recommendation, @aart, I got that thermometer for using in the kitchen. Best <$20 kitchen gadget I've gotten in years. I use it all the time.

 

[aart]

On your recommendation, @aart, I got that thermometer for using in the kitchen. Best <$20 kitchen gadget I've gotten in years. I use it all the time.

Yes, I use it in the kitchen frequently....not hatching for the last few years.

 

[1muttsfan]

Brown pelicans, number one an adult, number two a juvenile. They are quite an armful!

 

[wrathsfarm]

Have you double checked the humidity readings with a different gauge?

No I haven't. Was going to order a govee but thought I had time.

 

[wrathsfarm]

I've done a fair amount.
Keeping bator in a room that is steady in temps(at least 68°F) and free of drafts will help immensely.
Bator temps must stay steady, more important than humidity.
Get a good therm.
I use this one.
Jumped thru many hoops before learning how to buy a good one.

Humidity can vary quite a bit without dire results.
I candled and traced air cells on days 5-7-10-14-18 to track if eggs were losing too much moisture or not enough.



Pelicans?

Thank you for the info.