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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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).

 

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.