Now I'm confused.....!!???

[OR4-hmom]

This is my second hatch, I'm just as concerned as the first time around. I have been able to see into these brown eggs better, understand humidity a LITTLE more, 21 days is still forever.

 

[Outrun Acres]

oh good grief

YES you can mist eggs during hatch if you need to get the humidity up fast

I am NOT talking about soaking the eggs.

and if you are going to use a sponge it needs to either be brand new and never used for anything else before or have been sanitized before placing in the incubator so as to not harbor bacteria

I agree, use a clean sponge. But if you don't have any on hand heat up a wet dishcloth in the microwave and put that in the bator instead. The microwave should kill any little roaming bacteria. I did this during my last hatch and it worked like a charm to get the humidity up fast. It may also temporarily raise the temperature in your incubator so make sure both plugs are out so that the temperature can restabilize quickly.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I used a damp paper towel, but I had a small bator.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I just hatched a batch a week ago and I have another batch coming so that helps the wait to see a batch, but when I was waiting for the first batch I would look up growth cycles that helped me to know what was going on in the egg every day.

 

[Outrun Acres]

This is only my second time hatching. I am using the LG. I had pretty good results last time. Of the 16 that went into lockdown, 13 hatched. I had the hardest time stabilizing my humidity during lockdown the first time around. I know it's different for everyone, but for me what seems to work so far is to fill the water wells at the bottom and add two wet microwaved sponges. I keep the vent holes open until humidity comes back down to around 65% they I put one plug in. When humidity and temperature have been stable for a few hours I take out the plug turn it upside down and use it to cover half of the vent hole. (I'm a stay at home mom, so was around and had the time to fuss with it).

Last time, my chicks hatched over a period of 2 and a half days. The hatch was fairly strung out. I blame it on the inconsistant temperature throughout the incubator. My incubator is a still air so there seemed to be a few hot and cold spots.

My hatch day is tomorrow as well. I guess we will all just have to wait and see what happens. I'm sure my nose will be leaving little smudge marks on the viewing windows as I stare at my eggs tomorrow. Happy hatching everyone!

 

[OR4-hmom]

I may have to change the batteries in my flashlight again for all the checking I'm doing. I've got a still air LG also, hand turning, whole nine yards. My temperature seems to be consistant through-out. I had a hard time last time getting humidity up for lockdown, this time around I put sponges under the wire directly under the small vent holes. I use a syringe to wet them. I also have small jars with sponges in them that I can wet if needed.

 

[OR4-hmom]

The fun has begun, 1 pipped and peeping to me

Come on girls!

 

[NestingHillsSC]

Well today is hatch day. Not sure about the official time, should have wrote the time down. You know what I mean. So far nothing!!

I know your not suppose to open it, or so they say, but I'm going to have to, my water is running low! This plywood sucks up the water. But going to let it go as much as I can. Sure wish I knew if those chicks are still alive in there.

 

[Outrun Acres]

Nothing happening here yet.

 

[OR4-hmom]

Not much change in the pip, still peeping at me though.