Dont make things too wet. They will not dry out until they pip outer shell until day 20 or so anyway. I only add a damp paper towel after the outer pip. and be patient waiting for them to hatch some may even hatch on day 23. The outer pip they are still not ready to hatch, if you ever see blood on membrane then it is still absorbing yoke.

this egg is on day 18 it should looked shrunk down on one side big air cell and veins, but it is still not ready for lockdown too much moisture in egg.. if you shine through the bottom there should be no light. If light shines through and you can see in egg at all I would not lock down yet.

I waited until first external pip before adding a paper towels

These eggs were above chicks. Look into dry hatching.

They still come out nice and moist.
this egg is on day 18 it should looked shrunk down on one side big air cell and veins, but it is still not ready for lockdown too much moisture in egg.. if you shine through the bottom there should be no light. If light shines through and you can see in egg at all I would not lock down yet.
I waited until first external pip before adding a paper towels
These eggs were above chicks. Look into dry hatching.
They still come out nice and moist.
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