Unforseen lockdown problems...what is going on????

[kvmommy]

When I installed my fan the heat was consistent throughout the incubator and different heights just like it was supposed to be. But when I lowered my eggs from turner to floor, the temp said 95/96 on both my digital thermometers which were on the floor. I freaked and raised my temp to 100. Found my mercury thermomter put it at the top of the eggs and it said 105!! I lowered it back down to 95/96 on my digitals which put my temp right at 99.5 on my mercury. This is with a fan!!!

Also, My hygrometer which has been working fine says the humidty is 45 and i have all the wells filled. I know that is not right!!! IT was working great until I locked down. I was waiting til this morning to see if things work themselves out since i locked down at 9 last night. I figured if I had to retest my hygrometer I could since I hoped the eggs wouldn't pip til day 21. Well guess what. I have a pip. I'm excited but terrified!!!! I'm afraid of my temps being wrong and more for my humidity being wrong!!!! what?? Why is this happening in lockdown???? Why is one pipped when I need to get in there and check it out????

What should I do?

 

[Melissa Rose]

I would wait to see how the pip goes before you try to get in there. I trust mercury over digital.

 

[stoopid]

What day are you on? I would just make sure you don't cook them, and leave them alone...
I always find the last few days, the temp spikes, because the chicks are naturally hot. If that makes any sense.
Just fill the water wells with hot water, and wait. JMO

 

[kvmommy]

I know why my humidity is off!!! I'm soooo dumb. I think I know anyway. Last time I put the rubber non slip mats down and it worked great...but they had holes. I put one that doesn't have holes. I just cut two big holes to be able to water in them. Its blocking the water isn't it??? Ugghhhh...Barring taking all the eggs out to remove it, what can I do to quickly increase the humidity? Since its functioning as a still air, should I bump the heat up to 101? Today is Day 19. I wouldn't have thought they'd pip now so I would have time to fix these problems. Early pipper!!!

 

[stoopid]

I am assuming it's one of those styrofoam crapboxes? (and yes, I use that one, too)

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I've had a chick hatch even after all my interference of aiding them. The OCD's of this isn't right or "I could no SHOULD tweak that." really kick in at lock down. The best scientific instrument to tell if your hatch is going well is observing a pip. I'd let it ride as is, rely on mercury/alcohol thermometer at top of eggs.

 

[mstricer]

Quote:
What do you mean Styrofoam crapboxes? If you are referring to hovabators, I don't have any problems with mine. It fits a lot of eggs and does a decent job, I think for the most part its human error. I did buy a big old cabinet incubator, Sears an robuck farm master over 70 years old. Plugged in and it at least runs. I have to get it cleaned up and will be using by the middle of this month

 

[Chinchilla2]

One or two small mason jars with sponges and water in them should bring up the humidity. Fix them up ahead of time and sit them right besides the incubator. Once you get them within quick reach, open the top, put them in there and close it back again. Do it quick quick as you can so you do not let much humidity out in the process.

If you have vents on top, close one off after putting the lid back in place. STAND THERE (so you don't forget) and watch the hydro readout. Starts getting up there where you want it, open that vent back up.

Quick openings while in the "lockdown" mode won't be that big a deal when it comes to shrink wrapping. The impression some seem to have is that shrink wrapping is an instant occurrence but it isn't. You do have a couple of minutes and Nature is a forgiving creature at times. The main thing to remember when it comes to preventing shrink wrapping is that if you do have to get into the 'bator, be fast at it and to do it very infrequently. I can open up my little LG stryobroody, grab chicks, refill humidity wells, and using that "Stand there and watch" technique with the vent plug, have it back up to optimum humidity all in less than 2 minutes. The trick is to have everything organized BEFORE you open the 'bator and work through any potential interruptions like the phone and small children. That is one advantage to the styrofoam and smaller tabletop incubators, they don't take as long to rebuild the humidity level like the bigger cabinet ones (that I drool over anyway).

 

[kvmommy]

Yup...crapbox...aka LG. I threw in a hot rag and the humidity is going up. The pipper is completely still and quiet. I'm guessing she decided to pip in the middle of the night with all the stuff going on just cuz she wanted to send me into a panic. She'll probably be the last to hatch too!!! Ughhh..ok leaving temps where they are. Going to funnel hot water onto the rag regularly. Leave the house so I don't freak out.

 

[stoopid]

That's why I said I use that one, too. And yes, it IS mostly human error. Was just going to suggest cutting the mat smaller around the egdes so there will be humidity circulating.
Also air, it seems even if there is a fan, if that mat is blocking air flow, that may be the source of the problem.
Sorry to have offended you, but it really is a cheapie that leads to much angst with everyone.
I have hatched out hundreds of chicks in them, but really want to graduate to something better.