[Sluggs]

Hi,

Do you have to put grit in with just hatched chicks, (in the brooder)
I ask because they are feed crumb, so unsure if it needs to be broken down.

At the mo Ive got six eggs in a homemade incubator Temp 36.5 to 38, Humitity 50%
with a Fan running, do figures seem ok ?

The waiting is a nightmare !

Regards 

[Foxy]

you wont need grit straight away, just chick crumb and water (in a very shallow container maybe with a few marbles or pebbles to prevent them falling in)
temp is a little low -try and aim for a steady 37.5, they may be a little late as a consequence. Humidity is OK, maybe get it a fraction lower? I have mine at 42%. How are you controlling the humidity?

[Sluggs]

Foxy,

I use a little gauge i bought off ebay, and place little pots of water inside the incubator,
I top up as they get a little low, trying to keep to 50%.
but i try to reduce to 40% if thats better. What would be best for the last three days ?

With regards to temp, If I increase the low level I increase the high level, and I though too much heat was worse than too little   

Many thanks

[matthew2riches]

When I incubate I don't bother with water up until day 18 when I bump it up to 60 - 70%.  This makes the shells very brittle and the membrane soft so they can get out easily and i've never had any problems.

The crumb I get I think has everything in.  I have never bought or fed grit since having chickens.

[Sluggs]

many thanks