Need crash course on incubating eggs the final 2 days asap...

[ahchick1]

We're hatching our first eggs ever with a broody bantam hen. I made the mistake of putting 3 eggs under her and then another four eggs 4 days later. So she hatched the first 3 eggs beautifully 3 days ago and has 3 lovely chicks. And she's been doing her best to stay on the remaining eggs but those chicks are getting so active and tough to track (despite a small pen). So after seeing her off the nest twice this AM, I decided to bring the remaining 4 eggs in to a borrowed incubator (inexpensive basic Styrofoam type). Yesterday I'd calibrated it to 100 degrees, but don't have a hygrometer (I myself have been sick the last week or would have been more prepared). At a guess I just put in a damp rag. I hear at least one of the eggs chirping, but don't see any cracks yet. Anyone have advice on what to do for the humidity or anything else I should be doing? If we do get any to hatch, what are the chances

Thanks so much!
Amy

 

[happyhens1972]

I would keep a permanently damp CLEAN rag in there until hatch is complete. You will need to keep it damp to ensure the membranes don't dry out. Other than that, not much you can do but keep your fingers crossed and resist the temptation to interfere xx Good Luck!

 

[ahchick1]

Thanks Happyhens1972. I ran to check on the temp before finishing my last question. Our hen seems like a very good, kind mama... think she'd accept one of these later chicks if any hatch? Maybe put it/them under her at night?

 

[happyhens1972]

Yes, there's a good chance she'll take them in if you put them under her at night but keep a close eye on things for the first few hours, see how she goes.

 

[ahchick1]

It worked! One chick hatched yesterday (after I finally got the humidity up a bit) and last night mom took right to him. And the remaining two hatched last night, so I'll put they can spend the rest of the day in the incubator and I'll put them under mom tonight.

 

[WeeNicole]

Aww congrats.. do you know what the humidity got up to in the end..
Best wishes xx

 

[happyhens1972]

Oh fab!! Glad it all went well in the end x

 

[ahchick1]

I'm not sure what the humidity got up to... I don't have a way to measure it. Up until 2 days ago I'd never even used an incubator. Yesterday AM I found a way using a bendy straw to fill and refill the water holding chamber in the bottom of the incubator without having to actually open the incubator; it'd probably been fairly dry (all I had in there when I first put the 18/19 day old eggs in there was the very damp clean towel/rag) and once I got on top of filling/refilling the chambers I think the humidity must have gone up quite a bit.

 

[WeeNicole]

Thanks. Im on day 19 and humidity id temperamental. I also use the bendy straw lol