The Waiting is the Hardest Part...

[HookLineSilkie]

64 is on the high side

Ok, I’m still trying to grasp this humidity concept but I’ve been reading about hatch successes and failures and I’m trying to learn from others mistakes/mishaps but it does seem that location plays a big part when it comes to what to do. I hope I chose wisely. God, give me the strength to be PATIENT and not second guess myself!!! Amen

 

[FortCluck]

Oh my! It’s such a trial and error process, I’m gathering!! I’m logging a bit of what I did (am doing) on this hatch so I can take it with me for next time. I read that the RH in the 50s works great for some and that some have it in the 70s - spiking even more during hatch, and that works for them so I guess I chose 60s because I tell myself I won’t assist and open the lid but I know me, and that might be impossible if something goes wrong.
Is there a way to know if they have started internal pips without candling? Of course, my candling days are over for these three but curious if there is any discoloration if a light is shone down on them, etc.

I couldn't see internal pips unless I candled. It won't hurt them if you do it quickly

 

[Skippersnh]

Mother hen hops of the nest the last 3 days of hatch so you have time to candle

 

[Kiki]

Ok, I’m still trying to grasp this humidity concept but I’ve been reading about hatch successes and failures and I’m trying to learn from others mistakes/mishaps but it does seem that location plays a big part when it comes to what to do. I hope I chose wisely. God, give me the strength to be PATIENT and not second guess myself!!! Amen

What's most important is knowing that your humidity gauge is correct.
Unfortunately the built in ones that come installed in an incubator aren't always correct.

I highly recommend buying a separate thermometer or two and calibrating them and also buying a separate humidity gauge and salt testing it before you set eggs again.... That is if you haven't already done so.

 

[HookLineSilkie]

64 is high to me too.
I do not raise the humidity until I actually SEE and external pip and then I wouldn't raise it over 50.


What has your humidity been at at the first 18 days?


Have the air cells started to draw down yet/get larger?


Notice how far the aircell has drawn down in this video.
This video also shows an internal pip which you should see about a day or so before hatch.

Cool video! Like the idea of adding humidity once I see a pip but I don’t want to open lid and I’m still unsure of the external water fill point and how receptive it is to increasing humidity. I actually poured water into the center pot, closed lid and went into lockdown. My humidity for first week was in the 20-30s, then I got a new incubator (Brinsea) and it was a steady 40. The air cells have increased each candling and seem to be on the mark. I haven’t checked since lockdown though so hopefully this higher humidity doesn’t shrink them too much. Just hoping I’m on the right track!

 

[HookLineSilkie]

And yes....this is the absolute worst time. The waiting game is a nightmare.
Hang in there.
Sleep now while you can. You still have plenty of time.

Thankfully, my two young kids have prepared me for this event- I don’t get much sleep anyway!! I have that Tom Petty song stuck in my head ever since I titled this thread. Lol

 

[HookLineSilkie]

What's most important is knowing that your humidity gauge is correct.
Unfortunately the built in ones that come installed in an incubator aren't always correct.

I highly recommend buying a separate thermometer or two and calibrating them and also buying a separate humidity gauge and salt testing it before you set eggs again.... That is if you haven't already done so.

I bought a digital one of amazon with many high reviews but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s accurate. I need to do the salt test when I get a back-up one. I’m hoping it’s at least accurate enough to be in a safe range at this point.

 

[Kiki]

Cool video! Like the idea of adding humidity once I see a pip but I don’t want to open lid and I’m still unsure of the external water fill point and how receptive it is to increasing humidity. I actually poured water into the center pot, closed lid and went into lockdown. My humidity for first week was in the 20-30s, then I got a new incubator (Brinsea) and it was a steady 40. The air cells have increased each candling and seem to be on the mark. I haven’t checked since lockdown though so hopefully this higher humidity doesn’t shrink them too much. Just hoping I’m on the right track!

You don't want the air cells to shrink at this point.
You want them to get larger.

 

[HookLineSilkie]

Mother hen hops of the nest the last 3 days of hatch so you have time to candle

Would I be looking for movement (of course) and air cell growth/shrinkage at this point? If it’s shrunken, then I should lower and if it’s same or grown, keep it same?

 

[HookLineSilkie]

Did you set them each on different days? Or all at the same time?

I set them as my hen laid them. Straight from coop to incubator so it was three consecutive days about three weeks ago. One went into lock down right at 18 days, the others were 17 and 19.