Day 18.....Lockdown

[gimmie birdies]

it is fine to have lower humidity- I dry hatch and hand turn I can feel the moisture in the incubator- at the same time it is not steaming up the glass which would be bad.

 

[LDeBona]

Now I am worried that 50% humidity is not low enough!  This can drive you crazy.  I just read the dry hatch method AGAIN and printed out the picture of the air cells at 7, 14, and 18th day.
I think I am going to let the humidity drop a little, may be around 40% until day 14.
I am only on day 5!

Sounds like a good plan. It's definitely early enough for you to make some changes. I kept one of my two water reservoirs full and my humidity stayed between 30 and 40%. At lockdown I filled both reservoirs and my humidity stayed between 55 and 65%. Worked great for me. 90-100% hatch rates.
Good luck!

Leslie

 

[montain_dweller]

as far as instruments, what thermo/ hygrometers are people using.
I've got a couple cheap digitals combos and a brinsea spot check. The spot check has had nothing but issues and brinsea takes it's time with customer service.
I also have a wet bulb hygro that came with my hova. I have the hygro on the egg turner, I will take some pictures in a bit

 

[sepaditty1]

I've got 5 babies!! 2 more eggs to go. If they don't show any action by the time my latest chick dries off, I'll have to try the float test.

 

[LDeBona]

I've got 5 babies!! 2 more eggs to go. If they don't show any action by the time my latest chick dries off, I'll have to try the float test.

Congrats!! Post some pics!

Leslie

 

[aoxa]

I didn't write it... I just link to it because I think it's really good.

there is no risk in opening the incubator right now

I really like knowing when the internal pip happens. then I will know an approximate timeframe for when the pip should happen, and if it doesn't, then I know to be concerned. This comes from experience of having eggs pip internally but never externally. If I could save them then I would. I prefer candling for internals. everyone is different

I hatch hundreds and hundreds of chicks. I always wait for internal pip before locking down. You are doing it right.

My hatches went way up since I did this. I had a lot dead in shell because they drowned. Humidity too high before they internally pipped.

I have a separate hatcher. I open up real quick to add newly internally pipped eggs. I candle often in those last days. On day 20 if no internal pip is seen, I add them in anyway.

 

[HardizzlesFlock]

After how long from when it pips does it hatch?

 

[gimmie birdies]

there is no set time line- it could be 24 hrs or 2 hrs just let it be in the incubator

 

[HardizzlesFlock]

It hasn't moved or peeped or anything for about 3 hours. I'm starting to get nervous

 

[LDeBona]

It hasn't moved or peeped or anything for about 3 hours. I'm starting to get nervous

How long since it pipped?? Mine seem to take a LONG break after they pip. Then once they start zipping it happens pretty quick. Good luck!

Leslie