When is lockdown?

Well, I borrowed my friend's Hovabator to do my very first hatch. There have been three power outages and lots of humidity/temp issues. Four thermometers all reading different temps. Urgh! I set the eggs at 3pm on March 19th. Do I have it right that April 5th is the day I remove the egg turner and add extra humidity? Hatch day April 8th?

The temps/humidity have been out of whack, does that mean the hatch date will be later and I should leave them in the turner longer?

Thanks!
Jen

I would remove the turner and add more water the 5th, I think you are on the right track. I hope you have a good hatch

Thanks Amy! I appreciate the reply. I feel like an expectant mother again! This is my first hatch. We are so excited!!

Hey Jen, I count day 18 for you on the 6th at 3pm and hatching on the 9th. If temp. was low they'll be late, if high they'll be early. I had my humidity at about 45-50 for first 18 then 55-60 for lockdown. I had temp issues too - mine were about a day late and a few stragglers even later.

Sue

So . . . is the day you put the eggs in the incubator Day 0 or Day 1? I thought it was Day 1.

Also, with the Hovabator, if I fill the circulation & thermal trays with water, will that last until after the hatch? I have been filling the circulation tray every two days. I am worried that it won't last for the whole hatch time?


We candled the eggs today and found 3 clears, 4 quitters and 26 moving chickies!!!! The next few days are going to be exciting!

If I put the eggs in on Mon., Tues. is day one.
Hopefully someone will answer about the humidity, sorry don't have that kind of bator.

I don't know about the hovabator either I made my own incubator and I had to open during lockdown to add water (quickly). If you find you have to open during lockdown you can mist warm water when you are done and it should be fine. Better to open and keep the humidity right rather than risk low humidity - humidity is critical the last 3 days!

Thanks chickeesmom & maddyfofatty! I will take the turner out today. When misting how do you keep the eggs from getting wet?

You could put down a layer of paper towel over the eggs or just mist the sides and not directly on the eggs. Keep us posted!!

Great thanks!