What am I doing wrong?

[Crazy_Beautiful]

I have a Nuture 360. I'm at day 4. I'm struggling this time keeping humidity low. During the day the humidity is 55+ with air valve fully open. I put maybe 1/4 warm distilled water to start... incubator was 50% humidity until I put the eggs in. Some.nights when I wake up humidity us down to 20% other mornings its still above 50%. My house is colder than most as we heat via woodstove that's in the basement. I'd say the house is roughly 18C. I'm also struggling with the lid. Last hatch I didn't have any issues... this time the lid seems to be popping up.... I'll be candling soon to see but maybe not a good hatch?

 

[Yardmom]

The humidity is not that critical for a few days. It is the long term. Your ups and downs may even even it out. In the type of incubator I use I control humidity by the amount of surface water (not depth). I have not used the incubator you are using, but do you have a second hydrometer and thermometer to make sure it is not the gage.

 

[WVduckchick]

Plenty of time to correct your issues.

I run my NR360 dry, but it’s very humid where I live. If you feel the need to add a little humidity, just add an ounce or so to slot A and let it almost dry up before adding more. Keep the vent open always.

As far as the lid, I added a couple pieces of clear packing tape and made a little tab sticking out to help with lifting and replacing the lid. Also a little line with a sharpie on the lid, just above the slot where it locks in to help as a guide. I’ve never had mine pop up though. Could someone else be lifting it and not replacing it carefully?

 

[Crazy_Beautiful]

I have thought of that maybe my kids. How does a extra hydrometer work? What kind works best?

 

[5Australorpasaures]

I have thought of that maybe my kids. How does a extra hydrometer work? What kind works best?

I'm not saying this is the best, but was recommended by Kebonnixs because the sensors where exposed to easy temp and humidity readings.
INKBIRD Digital Thermometer and Hygrometer Mod #ITH-10 on Amazon. Reasonably priced and read the same as factory calibrated incubator. Battery included

 

[Crazy_Beautiful]

This would go inside with the eggs?

 

[5Australorpasaures]

This would go inside with the eggs?

 

[5Australorpasaures]

Just used to verify the settings are in sync with the brooder digital display. Not left in the brooder during incubation. We set the brooder up 3-4 days prior to setting eggs.

 

[junior67]

yes get another hygrometer. you need to calibrate it. You can search on this sight to find out how to calibrate it so that you know it is correct. Then place it in with the eggs and have it about the same height as the eggs and yes you leave it in there the whole time.

don't worry too much over what one temp is reading. if 1/4C is too much then just add 1/8C and see how that is. Most times that is all I need to add to mine to get it to about 45%. there are times it will be higher so I just wait till it goes way down and then add more. It is more the average you want to be around 45%. One of my hatches last year I struggled keeping it about 45% so what I did was add about 1/8C water or whatever which then it would go up to about 50 I think, I would let that basically dry out so it was down to I think like 20, add more etc. (my hygrometer goes to my phone and shows a graph) the average humidity was about 45 doing it this way and my eggs all hatched just fine.

 

[Crazy_Beautiful]

Question attached are photos. What day am I actually on day 21 or 22? Humidity/ temp differences anything to worry about now or for future hatches?

There has been no movement or sound coming from the eggs. Maybe the humidity issues in the first days had an affect? When I candles on day 18 the front 3 seemed to be developing ok back ones looked questionable.

Last hatch was 4 out of 6 and I washed the incubator out with soap water and vinegar.

These eggs are from my coop. From hens that lay medium.sized eggs and have been since Nov/ Dec. I chose only the biggest eggs. All were fertile and had good veining on day 6.


Any advise for my next hatch?