More chicks

We had a disaster with our first batch of eggs this year and just one hatched (out of 24). We put on a second batch who have now hatched. We got 10 this time which also isn't a great success rate - though clearly better. I decreased the humidity from 50% to 40% for this second batch as I cracked open a few of the eggs that failed in the first batch and the chicks had grown but died, probably at hatching because the egg hadn't dried out enough and they can't then get air as they hatch.

They look really cute sunning themselves.

It is possible that this second batch was a bit too dry so the third batch I have set the humidity to 45% and am weighing the eggs as we go along. You hope to get a 10-13% drop in weight over the 3 weeks.