Cause for concern? Egg dimple

[piedlover79]

So I'm super paranoid about this batch of eggs. All of the ones on the bottom look perfect, just like when they were hatched. The one on top however has several dimples in it. The temp range is 88.5-90, but mostly sits at 89 (slight flux due to wild weather around here 96 degrees outside one minute 73 the next! No AC, at times it's cooler in the wine cooler incubator than in the house!) humidity is 'above 90' that's all I really know because that's as accurate as the hydrometer seems to be. There is no dripping condensation from the top (this photo is taken through the lid, the edges of the lid have a little condensation), there is condensation on the sides (which I assume bodes well for good humidity levels). I have them on wet vermiculite mixed with hatch rite, on a light diffuser, and I have a large clump of spagum moss off to the side away from the eggs to help with humidity. The egg box is on the larger side since I was expecting 8-10 eggs, but it's still only six inches high. I wouldn't think there would be 'less humidity' up higher. That egg is firmly stuck in place so I can't move it. I'm using a 'Useful Box' from Staples, that locks down and I added weather stripping around the top so it seals up tight.

Do I need to do something more or is this amount of dimple okay? Strong veins in all of them at lay time. The eggs are 10 days old.

(Also that is not mold on the egg to the left, that's just a bit of a 'window' but it doesn't leak anything).

[Stangirl87]

Let me preface this by saying I am no by no means an expert I only had my first clutch of this year. But I would say keep an eye on it if the domples get any bigger you need to check the box again and see what's going wrong. I would suggest keeping a closed eye on the humidity. Maybe get a better hydrometer.

[piedlover79]

I will keep a hawk's eye on it.

Anyone have a suggestion for a good hydrometer. The ones I find basically all seem only accurate to 90% or they simply doesn't tell you thier accuracy

[JodanOrNoDan]

I have never used a hydrometer in my incubator. If you have condensation on the sides and your temps are right you are probably pretty much saturated. That said, I live in florida and the humidity here is generally not a problem period. I keep a water bowl on top of my heat tape in the incubator also to saturate the air around the tubs also but the heat tape does not kick on too often this time of year. I have to cool more than heat.

[Bigfish1975]

I think you're gonna be ok. I think the eggs look fine. Like others stated, I've never used a hydrometer during incubation. I look for the condensation along the sides of the tubs. I incubate at 89-90 degrees as well. I've had some dimple like that over the past 6 seasons and hatch just fine.

[piedlover79]

Awesome. Like I said...I'm being paranoid. I haven't hatched anything out in a few years.

I will add a dish of water to the incubator to humidify up that air as well though just for kicks. My incubator hasn't been kicking on much during the day, but it works at night.

I've got the clear lid top, and clear glass for the front of the incubator so I can keep a careful watch without opening anything up.

Thanks guys!

[Albert Clark]

Yeah, I think they look good! You may want to consider doubling the tub insulation. Idk if you are using "press and seal" but you can certainly put a extra sheet of it on top of the existing insulation. I agree that if you have condensation on the inside of the egg tub then that is a good sign that your percentage is ok. You should really see the hygrometer read 99%. Good luck!

[piedlover79]

I can throw some press and seal on there just for good measure. Hugs!