Temperature and Humidity for Hatching

[DewittPondFarm]

I have 4 Khaki Campbell eggs (apparently doing well) at day 26 and they are in lock down. Temperature in the still air incubator has been at 99.5 and humidity right now is about 65% . I read somewhere that I'm supposed to reduce the temperature further for hatch and increase the humidity. I can't easily increase humidity since the water troughs are all ready full in there. I can decrease the temp. if necessary but wasn't sure if I should. Please advise since this is our first hatch and I'm not really sure what I'm doing.

 

[darkbluespace]

A wet sponge or washcloth can help raise humidity if you still want it higher.

 

[DewittPondFarm]

Thanks, I'll try that. Should I lower the temp?

 

[darkbluespace]

I am so not the expert around here, but I believe it is recommended to lower the temp by about a degree for lockdown.

 

[DewittPondFarm]

Day 28 tomorrow (if you don't count set day) so I have the first time hatching nerves. I see no signs of anything yet. Humidity is up since I added the wet sponge and lowered the temp a degree. I've read it can take time to hatch so will try not to be too anxious.

 

[LilyD]

Day 28 tomorrow (if you don't count set day) so I have the first time hatching nerves. I see no signs of anything yet. Humidity is up since I added the wet sponge and lowered the temp a degree. I've read it can take time to hatch so will try not to be too anxious.

I am in the same boat. I have 11 eggs in my incubator and their hatch day (they are muscovy ducks) is between Monday and Friday. My temp is down to 98.5 and my humidity is up to 65-70ish but still no signs of hatching yet. They need to hatch already I think I have been patient enough waiting 34 days lol.

 

[DewittPondFarm]

No hatch here yet. Although I see a dark spot on the top of one egg. I thought I'd see something on the end. Temp went a degree lower then it should last night so turned it up. Humidity is at 75%. I'm not letting them roll all around like they were before because I think the chicks would get disoriented. I assume lock down means don't let them wiggle and roll freely.

 

[darkbluespace]

Glad to hear there is movement! Keep us posted : )

 

[LilyD]

I have two that are partway out now. Heads are out but are taking a break before they get the rest of the way out. 6 left in the incubator to hatch. I lost 3 this morning, but it's still looking like a good hatch.

 

[DewittPondFarm]

That's great. Still waiting on mine. :-( I wish they'd hurry up already. Keep wanting to rip open the incubator and take a closer look!