New to incubators on day 22

[DougwL]

Hi I'm new to incubating and I'm getting worried because I'm on day 22 and nothing has hatched yet. I have a mix of eggs that are from silkies and some isa browns. By this time I think the silkies aren't gonna hatch but I'm still hoping for the browns. I feel like my temp and humidity settings were fairly steady throughout. Any advice would be much appreciated

 

[ChloeSilkie08]

What day did you start them?

 

[DougwL]

Tuesday March 11th around noon so it's still relatively early on day 22

 

[ChloeSilkie08]

Tuesday March 11th around noon so it's still relatively early on day 22

Do you have pips and can you hear the chicks chirping? Also, why do you have it covered humidity being too high can cause chicks to hatch late.

 

[DougwL]

I haven't heard any pips. I was having trouble regulating heat so I read where you can put a towel over it to help which did straighten out the temperature. I have seen that I want my humidity between 65 or 75%. Is that to high?

 

[DougwL]

The incubator itself is kinda loud when it's on so I haven't thought about listening for the chicks

 

[cmobley]

For the first 18 days your humidity needs to run 30-50% day 18 move eggs into lockdown raise humidity 60-70% keep the temp 99-100.5 18 days then drop it a degree on hatch day. All this is for a forced air incubator. Still air your temp runs 102 I think. Also always use a calibrated set of gauges don't go by the incubator gauges they hardly are ever accurate. Salt test your hygrometer, ice water test thermometer before use.

 

[DougwL]

I've never heard of salt testing. Could you suggest a good thermometer I should get. I have wondered if my temp settings are accurate

 

[cmobley]

I use a incutherm with probe they're pretty accurate. I like the pretty cause it doesnt take up a egg spot. Salt test you take which ever unit you decide to get and put it in a gallon ziploc or I use a container with lid. Take a tablespoon of salt put it in a milk jug lid or leave it in the measuring spoon add some water to wet it set it in the bowl leave it a good 12 hours. When you open the lid it should be reading 75%. If its not you'll know what to add or subtract to know what the humidity really is. To check the thermometer some people set the probe in ice water should read 32 or so.

 

[DougwL]

I'll look into the incutherm. Thanks for the information