Raising humidity in my mini Rcom- pls help!

[Marjorie1967]

Hi, I am a newbie having started the incubation of three chick eggs for my daughter's science project and now I am totally hooked!

I have a mini R-com which is a couple of years old. So it doesn't have the latest gadgetry. I can't believe we are about to hit day 20 and I actually saw all three eggs 'shiver' a little today. I thought it was my imagination, but then i definitely saw 2 of the eggs move by themselves. It was so exciting as i was prepared for the worst. We are now in lockdown and I know it's essential that the humidity is increased. I don't think the old mini R-com does that? I have already put a damp towel under the machine but my question is this: should I open the rcom and place some damp cotton balls inside? It won't ruin the machine as the eggs are now sitting on a plastic tray. I just want to give these chicks the best chance...
Any advice?

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Well humidity should be around 70 %, I'd open very quickly and place the c.balls and maybe spray some warm water around (not on) the eggs and close the top quickly. Just an idea.

Ooops just looked at the date and I'm guessing that they've hatched??
Hope it was a good one!

 

[Marjorie1967]

Yep - they hatched! All three of them! They are now one week old and I feel like a very proud Mama. One hatched overnight, the other in the morning with the family watching, and because they all looked so squashed in the Rcom I transferred them to their new home. Then I put a damp cotton ball in with the last egg and we watched that hatch in the afternoon. What a great result! They are all healthy, too.
I think placing damp towels under the rcom helped and - believe this or not - me cheeping at them! Every time it went quiet during the hatch I cheeped loudly at the eggs and they would start the struggle again (maybe they hated the sound so much they just wanted to get away from it!).
Anyhow, a great result for the mini Rcom and a complete amateur (me).

 

[Toast n Jelly]

What a great outcome! Congrats

(now you're hooked lol )

 

[Marjorie1967]

I am hooked indeed! Thanks for your suppport