Possible early shrink wrappage!!!

[Katie Jo]

I currently have 21 eggs in my incubator. I candled last night at day 8 (well, 7 1/2 days technically)....found 2 that were clear and pitched them. The others seem to have pretty big air cells...almost too big in comparison to candling pics I've seen. I'm worried that I've been running my humidity too low...it's been around 35%. I put a wet sponge in to bump the humidity up to 44%, and I have a humidifier running in the room. I originally planned to try the "dry" method....but I have a feeling that due to the freezing cold, it might not be a good idea (furnace running constantly and all). If I shrink wrapped these chicks THIS early, is it too late to fix? Or if I up the humidity, will they fix themselves?

 

[william9792]

i always keep my humidty at 30-35% days 1-18, then on day 18 bring it up to 50-55% and get 95 to 100% to hatch. I have and LG With fan and turner

 

[Katie Jo]

Well that's what I was originally going for. But the air cells look REALLY big right now. I'll try to get a picture of one and post it (if I can figure out how to!) I was under the impression that humidity too low can cause the air cells to grow too fast.

 

[william9792]

i don't think that if you bring it up a little it will hurt them, but would not go over 40% at this time, you want them to (the air cell) to grow at this point. I have 36 RIR's egg in my bator, and will try to take pic's one some tonight but i am on day 6

 

[nivtup]

I would up the humidty if you feel the air cells are too large. Think of the overall cycle.

If you up it, candle again in a few days to check progress, you may need to drop it down again. We run a constant controlled 45% through all hatches. We have had some develop larger air cells, and they did hatch out fine.

Our success rate runs at 90% for home layed eggs, much lower for shipped, or even for those eggs that are "local" and have taken a ride.

 

[Katie Jo]

So it's not too late, then? I sure hope not....I'd cry.