Staggered Hatching in Same Incubator

[SqueakyRoseShalom]

I'm using an incubator for the first time, and i ended up adding one egg three days after start. long story. thanks chickenlegs13 for the info about how "Stopping egg turning or raising the humidity 2 days early / late isn't going to have any effect on the hatch." big relief to know that!

but i was thinking, in terms of how taking out the hatched chicks could be problematic because it lows temperature and humidity for those still waiting to hatch, couldn't I just have my brooder lamp pointing right at the incubator up close when i take the lid off and have my husband spray mist into the air with a spray water bottle while the lid is off? or i could even place a pot of steaming water next to the incubator and have my hubby blow the steam into the incubator while the lid is open, still using the brooder lamp... i imagine that i will be able to open the lid, get the baby chicks, and return the lid within 60 seconds, right?

i'm hatching only nine eggs total...

 

[Brandi9]

I *think* my hatch is finally done, except for one still hatching. Between the two batches I've had chicks hatching for about a week now! I got a pretty good hatch rate, all things considered!

When I needed to pull chicks out, I just did it fast, and the temp and humidity was not affected much, and not for long at all. It did not seem to slow down the eggs that were hatching.

 

[ChickenLegs13]

Glad it went well for you & the chicks. With the hatch lasting all week, did you have a problem with the water in the troughs turning foul & smelly?

Your right about opening the lid not affecting temp & humidity much, but still it should be opened as least as possible. Do not ever open it while chicks are pipping.
I've never tried this with my Hovabator but on my Little Giant if I need to snag a chick I pry a window out with my fingernail and stick my hand in through the hole. That way it doesn't create a vacumn and make a whoosh of cold dry air rush in when you raise the lid.

 

[portagee]

If I have a hatch scheduled 2 weeks apart how do I deal with the humidity. I only have one incubator. Will a high humidity affect the chicks due in 2 weeks for now.