CrazyHatchingLady
Chirping
63 to 70 percent for the first 18 days? That's very high, actually. Are you at a high elevation? Did the air cells look good when you were candling them, like they were developing correctly, as this chart shows?
I'd never have humidity that high, over 60%, until lockdown. I keep it at around 30% for the first 18 days, and then go to 65% for lockdown.
70% is plenty for lockdown, you don't need to go higher. Why do you think the one that you have hatching has dried out? Can you post a picture?
If you do need to do an assist, follow this guide: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/
Oh no during incubation it is 47-52% usually. I have eggs I ordered that was between this at incubation at lockdown 60 to 70% and did fine. Right now I lowerd my temp a little and they stopped drying out. Plus I used the coconut oil I saw in your article. Ironically I don't usually have what I need but this time I did. It seems to working really well and they two that started to hatch are doing much better.
My girls are laying and I'm trying not to incubate again until spring, so I've got eggs available.
