What am I doing wrong!?!?!?

[IHeartCapnHook]

I happened to get a free emu egg. I put it in the bator right away. Temps are pretty steady, but I can't seem to keep the humidity up?? It is a cabinet bator... kinda older. I put 2 new plastic bins with a large beach towel floating in it to make more surface room to raise humidity... and it went down??? I am afraid with the humidity down to 28% that my little friend won't make it. Any ideas on what I can do?

PS- any idea at what stage in hatching you can see the egg wiggle or hear little pecks on the inside? anticipation is killing me!!!

Or do you wait until day 65 and call it hard boiled emu? *sad*

 

[chickenzoo]

Did you close the vents in the back of bator a little more? I large shallow pan of water will help humidity,,,, normally

 

[IHeartCapnHook]

My theory was: more water surface, more surface to make humidity.... hence throwing the towels in a huge soaking wad in the bowl to help surface area. Still at 28%. I closed the two doors on the back. There are two more holes that don't have covers? Can I tape over them to keep the humidity in? Can I put a steaming bowl in there and boost humidity by bringing in some steam?
Oh little Emu... please don't suffocate!!!

 

[chickenzoo]

Well you still need ventilation... hehe Does your cabinet keep good humidity with eggs in it? I had trouble with humidity staying down in my cabinet, so i switched to the Hovabator. If your cabinet stays good normally, perhaps you should fill the empty spaces below the egg with dry towels, to take up space... but leave gaps in the bottom rack between towels.... like put 2 towels on one rack, but separate them an leave a gap for air circulation....

 

[JJMR794]

If You Have That Much Surface Area And Cant Get Humidity Over 28% I Would Be Suspect Of The Humidity Gauge And Its Accuracy (or Lack Thereof...)

 

[IHeartCapnHook]

Alright my super knowledge friends. I had a thought, and a debate between the other half, over what COULD be causing the problem... being that is only recently we have had the drop from the 30's into the 20's on the humidity...

The furnace. Since the furnace causes static in the house, is that effecting my little emu friend? It had a sudden drop in temps and we have had the heater on much much more than normal. Is the furnace what is causing this fight? With the humidity down lower for the past 2 weeks, will my friend dry out and not hatch?