They're hatching on day 17 in the egg turner at 20% humidity! Help!

[InsaneBreeder]

I have absolutely no clue how it happened, and I know I didn't miscalculate, but I have three pips on day 17. The eggs are still in the turner, the humidity is around 20%, and I don't want to open the incubator to remove the turner or add water because I have 34 other eggs in there. What should I do? Should I leave it, and hope for the best, or remove the turner and add water to the trays in a humid environment?

 

[anderson8505]

If you need to add water, is there any way you can put a straw through the vent holes on top and drip water through it? I happen to use that method with a squeeze bottle. Good luck. Unplug turner if possible.

 

[InsaneBreeder]

Quote:
I did unplug the turner, and I'll try the straw method. Thanks for your opinion

 

[CarolJ]

Since it's just one day before lockdown anyway, I would get everything ready so you can do it quickly - then take out the turner, up the humidity and start lockdown a day early. However, I've only done two hatches. So hopefully someone with lots more experience can give you some advice. Good luck!

 

[Ukiah]

Quote:
Sounds like your temperatures may have been higher than they should, which causes the chicks to develop
faster, if you didn't miscalculate the time they were put into the incubator.

If it were me, I would throw in a wet sponge/rag real quick, get the humidity up some more. And unplug the
turner. it's to late to take the turner completely out, if you already have pips. They should be able to hatch
fine in the turner. Good luck!

 

[cmom]

Check your thermometer. If your temperature was running high your hatch could be early. I would also bump up the humidity.

 

[InsaneBreeder]

I now have the humidity at almost 60%, and there are several more pips and one hatched so far (although, it's probably going to have to sit in its eggshell until the end), so it seems to be going well, despite the extreme low humidity when they started to hatch, as well as all throughout the preceding days. My thermometer has not recorded a higher temperature (that I'm aware of), and it's a 1588 Hovabator, so the temperature should be self-regulatory. Thanks for all the opinions! I really appreciate it

 

[UncleTommy]

hmmm...where did you get the eggs? maybe they were sitting under a hen for a while and started to develop

 

[jmc]

keep your eye out for deformities, such as twisted toes.

at least in the experience of some with much experience (authors, for example) high bator temps, early hatches, and risk of deformities such as curled toes go together.