The Middle Tennessee Thread

[SimplySplendidSilkies]

Now I am no expert but I run my humidity around 20-30 days 1-18 and up to 45-50 at lockdown. If I still have a few pips hanging around after day 20&1/2 I may bump it on up to 60% because at that point I feel like I don't have much to lose. (I always hatch on day 20) But with an air cell too large would that not mean the humidity is too low? I have never incubated anything but silkie and showgirl eggs ( a few bantam leghorns) so I do not know what a larger size egg would look like or how much room LF take up in the egg.

Do all your eggs look like this one?
Has your temp been good?
Did you calibrate the instruments you are using?
Are you only using one hygrometer/thermometer? Flukers is the most accurate IMO. 20.00 at Pet Smart.
I have found the hygrometers to be off by up to 20% before.

I am including a link with a pic for refrence only I did not read the page but look at the pic half way down the page.
http://www.poultryhelp.com/hatch.html

One thing I started doing was at lockdown was place the eggs on thier side with the lowest end of the air cell up 9 times out of 10 they will pip right on the low end of the air cell. I am not sure it helps the chicks but it sure helps me when montioring during lockdown. It makes sense that when the chick pips it helps not to have it pip on the bottom of the egg anyway so gravity is working for you not against.

Feel free to call me I will help all I can.

 

[SimplySplendidSilkies]

Donna I watched the video again and you may be ok. I say just watch them and see what happens. Keep the humidity around 35% at lockdown bump it up to 45-50%. Try locking them down with the low end up like I said before. It will help you so much.

You will be fine.

 

[cpegram]

I usually have 20-30% 1-18 then 45-50% at lockdown like Tish. My hatches have been pretty good so far. I have only done 6-7 it's so dang addicting.

 

[SimplySplendidSilkies]

Good morning Connie. I sure wish you could go to Calhoun with me this weekend. I am taking some really nice Showgirls.

 

[cpegram]

Yuppers sounds like fun!!!

ETA
One day I will have weekend days off

 

[HBuehler]

Anne-your way works very well.My best hatches are always low humidity.
Countrypunk-in my experience that humidity offers low hatch rates and high mortality

I can't count my broody hens but I can count how many hydro meters and temp gauges they have and how well they read one.

My hens all get off during lockdown and they don't go soak their feathers either for it and yet the chicks all pop out loud and healthy...so I started hatching like a hen.My hatch rates are now excellent.
My abandoned egg chick is running around fat and sassy now.
When I want to fuss never more than 25% for 18 days which my basement keeps the bator naturally so no worries

no need to monitor and 40% for hatching then as they hatch it naturally rises a little to usually around 45% which for me a couple of tablespoons of water is all it takes.

 

[emmalynn]

Tisha,
Can't go to Calhoun. Planned on it but things are crazy at the house. I have a sick goat and now we and my parents are having water issues.

Do you subscribe to the Poultry Press? If so, when and where is the next closest show?

You know I will be rooting for you!!!
L

 

[emmalynn]

Holly and Becky,
I can make a run in your direction Sunday. What do you think?
L

 

[Raven1]

I can make time Sunday anytime is good for me. What do you say Holly your sched. is alot busier than mine?

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
Thanks. I am going to remove the water, turn off the dehumidifier in the room and try to get the humidity in the hatcher down to about 50%.