Newbie confused

[calichicken]

Thank you ill definetly follow that one.
What temp do you keep yours on? Should I bring my humidity down some?

Yes I would. I have had good success with the lower humidity until lockdown. If you candle, you can monitor air cells to ensure enough moisture is evaporating in your eggs or that too much is not evaporating. I keep my temp at 100-101 because it is still air...most bators say to keep it at 99.8

 

[Tomtommom]

You're in Alabama... Yeah, outdoor temps during the day are high enough to hatch an egg

Could just leave them in the nestbox (kidding, night temps are too low). Humidity is one of those things we always have here. My momma chicken hatched six chicks out of six eggs only two weeks ago, I didn't see her dehumidify the nest... A/C indoors will lower the humidity though.

Overall, I wouldn't worry too much. Eggs that are fussed with least seem to be the ones that hatch the best (aside from needed turning).

 

[calichicken]

You're in Alabama... Yeah, outdoor temps during the day are high enough to hatch an egg

Could just leave them in the nestbox (kidding, night temps are too low). Humidity is one of those things we always have here. My momma chicken hatched six chicks out of six eggs only two weeks ago, I didn't see her dehumidify the nest... A/C indoors will lower the humidity though.

Overall, I wouldn't worry too much. Eggs that are fussed with least seem to be the ones that hatch the best (aside from needed turning).

X2...I just make sure the temps are steady and I get humidity up at lockdown

Congrats on your chicks!!!! My broody had one chick hatch on sunday and waiting on the second egg!

California just the opposite....dry as a bone here!

 

[Tomtommom]

We're in a drought, not stopping the humidity though

 

[Brie6895]

Thanks for the replies! Hi Tom Tom how have you been!


I suppose I can remove the sponge I put in there earlier and see how much that drops the humidity down. Would it mess them up if I put them in there at a higher humidity and then it dropped? I am going to go to the library if I can make it tomorrow and get a book. Lol! I'm just terrified that ill end up at day 20 with half born chicks that dried up. I'm not sure how ill react to seeing a baby die because of a mistake I made.

 

[calichicken]

Thanks for the replies! Hi Tom Tom how have you been!


I suppose I can remove the sponge I put in there earlier and see how much that drops the humidity down. Would it mess them up if I put them in there at a higher humidity and then it dropped? I am going to go to the library if I can make it tomorrow and get a book. Lol! I'm just terrified that ill end up at day 20 with half born chicks that dried up. I'm not sure how ill react to seeing a baby die because of a mistake I made.

Yes..you are fine to remove the sponge and see what your humidity is then

They also have a great learning center on this forum that has an article on hatching...lots of good info here! Also by reading threads that you have questions on, you will learn a lot from the people on this forum!

 

[Tomtommom]

Once they start hatching they actually create some of the heat/humidity needed. Just leave the thing closed so it doesn't get out.

I've hatched chicks under a heat lamp

We're very fortunate with our ambient temps and humidity (when it comes to eggs... not so sure about us, out there). I could hatch an egg leaving it in the nest box, if the night temps didn't drop too low.

My babies are 3 weeks, I think. They're hardly ever under mom. Not at all during the day, and at night just every once in a while, they actually prefer to roost next to her. It's hot!