Will they hatch??

[SpringChickens]

My daughter's school is doing a 100 day party with a theme of birds and one of her teachers asked me if I would let them borrow my incubator and some eggs to hatch. So I set her up with everything she needed and instructions for humidity and temperature during incubation and showed her how to adjust everything (Brinsea Eco 20, so easy incubator).

Well, I just went in there yesterday (day 18) and found out the temperature has been at 98.5 the whole time and the humidity was only 20%.

I brought the humidity up - aiming for 70% for lock down. What do we need to watch out for? Will they be shrink wrapped? They'll probably hatch a little late because of the low temperature? Any other thoughts?


Thanks for your advice!

 

[GeneJordan]

This question may seem a silly one...
What does low humidity actually do to the egg?
Also, what is a quick way way to increase the humidity? Can I just spray them with water?

 

[dsqard]

You will probably have a late hatch. The really low humidity before lockdown should be OK. Did you candle to see if the air cells were larger than normal? They will probably be a day or two late. Good hatching vibes your way!

GeneJordan you want lower humidity during incubation until lock down. The low humidity allows for some of the liquid inside the egg to evaporate out of the pores in the egg. This lets the air cell at the top of the egg to get big enough for the chick to have an air supply when it internally pips. 20% is pretty low from what I have read but if you are going to have an "oops" it is better to have lower than higher humidity for the first 18 days. If there is not enough room for the chick to have enough air it can drown inside the egg. You want to increase humidity during lockdown so that the chick doesn't get shrink wrapped. You want the membranes inside the egg to stay moist while it is pipping and zipping.

 

[scbatz33]

Your hatch is going to probably be later. As for hmidity, I incubate dry...ie relatively no humidity. I don't put water in until day 18 then I bump up over 60%. Since the hatch will more than likely run late, I'd gather you're not in too much trouble with the humidity level.

 

[scbatz33]

Quote:
The quickest way I've found is to add warm to hot water. it will bump it up quickly.

 

[GeneJordan]

Ok... I am good then

Thanks

 

[SpringChickens]

Thanks

I was hoping that they would be ok with the low humidity during the first 18 days of incubation, esp. with the temp a little low.

Appreciate the advice