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I usually panic when my temps hit 101.8. I like mine around 100.2 and 100.4 and humidity at 50% or very close to it. The right humidity will prevent the leg problems. My incubators need babysitters. I'm a prisoner to them yet still there are fluctuations. This time of year they always go nuts and I end up with curled toes and spraddle legs. It can be fixed but it's still a pain for it to happen.
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Thanks so much, I will adjust temperature and keep it to 101 or just below. Humidity at 50% is doable. The one chick that hatched from low temp had perfect feet and legs. I have high hopes for the pipped one. It talks a lot, I think it hears its sibling.
Not all mine that I had problems with humidity turned out with messed up legs but it just makes it more possible for it to happen. I know most people incubate differently. But this works for me. I keep the humidity at or close to 50% during beginning to end till they hatch if at all possible. I know when they hatch it raises the humidity. I just let it be. With quail I incubate and hatch at 60%. I read on here that the higher the temp the faster the chick will grow and a large chance will hatch early. But the faster growth will produce a smaller chick. The longer the incubation the larger the chick and also the higher humidity the larger the chick. The larger chick has a harder time zipping out. Thats why I run my temps and humidity the way I do. If shrink wrap happens I just help it out. NO big deal. I'm usually glued to the hatcher when they go in it anyway. I have a hovobator that does great with holding temp and humidity. I can raise the lid enough to grab out an egg and close it and it never changes. If I have to have it open longer than that it goes right back to where it's suppose to be very fast. It's the incubators I leave alone until I have to add water, candle eggs or add more eggs. Other wise, I leave them alone.
