What's with the air cell?

[Farm Frenzy]

And a big black blob is all I see. The air cell is within those measurements. So I guess their doing okay...I hope? I got rid of two eggs, one wasn't developed at all, and the other one had a little formation, but had stopped. I took those out. The other seven, from what your telling me, are doing great then. Is there such a thing as turning them too much? I only turn them about three to four times a day, but is that possible?

 

[KellyHM]

You can't really turn them too much, but 3 times a day is a good rule. Turning them an odd amount of times (3 or 5) is recommended so they aren't always on the same side at night when they're not turned as often. They sound like they're all doing good. Just make sure to stop turning them after day 18 and up the humidity to 65-75%. Sometimes bantams hatch a day or two early so don't be surprised if they pop out before day 21.

 

[Farm Frenzy]

I have water in the little tray at the bottom, do they need more than that. I read about putting a wet sponge in there.

 

[KellyHM]

Just make sure the tray (or both if there are 2) are full of water when the time comes. It stays pretty humid in FL so we don't usually have to worry about it too much. You can buy a cheapo hygrometer at wal-mart if you just want to be safe though.

 

[Farm Frenzy]

I'm definitely going to do that. And I know it's a no-no, but I'm using the thermometer that came wit my incubator. I heard that they are usually off by two or three degrees, up or down. So I'm going to get a new one of those too.

 

[KellyHM]

I used my thermometer that came with the bator for my first hatch and it came out fine. And it's 20 years old! I think people sometimes watch it too obsessively and worry too much.

 

[Farm Frenzy]

Ya, well that would be me!

But I think I'm handling it pretty well for my first time. It's like I'm pregnant myself and I'm a week or two overdue. It's that feeling, that you just can't wait til the day comes. I want to find out every little secret and every fact, to make sure everything goes smoothly.

 

[Farm Frenzy]

Okay, I'm admitting it...I'm addicted!!!

 

[KellyHM]

I was like that the first couple times, but it's been running almost 6 months straight, so now I just check it twice a day to make sure everything's stable and leave it alone.

 

[Farm Frenzy]

I love it, and it's a great way for my kids to learn..and me too, and it's fun.