Ok, excited, now scared

[temperance]

Ive been reading all the posts about humidity, and now i dont know what to do. my chicks and ducks are on day 18. i dont have any way to measure humidity. when i spoke to 'farmer dick' at the feed store, he said that he used to hatch tons of all sorts of birds together in a large bator. didnt measure humidity. his advice to me was to open the vents, mist them if i feel i have to, have water in the bottom, and dont let condensation form in the bator. our spring weather is perfect for a hatch. im also watching thier air sack to make sure its getting bigger, but not to much. all 24 of them are big, moving around and seem good at the moment.
any thoughts?

 

[SangaChicken]

Humidity is important yes, but don't less it stress you to paranoia. I did a TON of research and ultimately had to abandon a failed first hatch and go out of town. As an afterthought, I left my eggs with my family "Just in case" and with ZERO humidity (no water, so the only humidity they had was what was in the air!), they hatched two gorgeous babies on DAY 26!

Do everything you can, and put the rest in whatever creator you believe in hand's. Chickens have no way of measuring their own humidity levels for hatching and they do just fine! Trust your instincts! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

 

[jacyjones]

I agree with that answer. I am reading lots about humidity too and getting worried. I am on day 15 and doing everything I can to get it right but I agree you should not get over worried. do your best and cross your fingers!! And good luck

 

[MandyH]

Let me say that humidity IS very important. Not to the point that you need medication LOL, but after you have a batch of great eggs pip and die, or dry to the shell and have an awful time trying to help them all out, you won't understand the magnitude of importance that humidity holds. You can get cheap thermomoter/hygrometer combos at your local retailer. $8 is cheap when compared to a bunch of dead chicks.