Moisture in incubator

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Coreenelane

Coreenelane

Songster
Feb 22, 2016
181
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106
The humidity is up in the 70's how do I lower it without taking the sponge and water out completely? No eggs in yet because I am trying to make sure all the temps and numbers are right. Last night the temp hit 103 so I unpluged it and started over. What about air movement inside my styro incubator, do I need it? Found a battery operated room freshener that still works and will give some air movement. Should eggs be placed on wire rack in order to have even temp. around the egg? There is condensation on the glass so if I open the lid too long I loose heat. Kids are doing this as a science project and I need answers by 3/12/2016.
 
Coreenelane said:
The humidity is up in the 70's how do I lower it without taking the sponge and water out completely? No eggs in yet because I am trying to make sure all the temps and numbers are right. Last night the temp hit 103 so I unpluged it and started over. What about air movement inside my styro incubator, do I need it? Found a battery operated room freshener that still works and will give some air movement. Should eggs be placed on wire rack in order to have even temp. around the egg? There is condensation on the glass so if I open the lid too long I loose heat. Kids are doing this as a science project and I need answers by 3/12/2016.
Click to expand...

Hi Coreene, Sounds like your humidity is way too high. Depending on where you live, you might not need any water in there at all, or maybe just a little. Are your vents open?

Too much humidity will prevent the eggs from losing too much moisture, and the chicks can drown before hatching.

What kind of incubator are you using?
 
Grandson Drew age 13 made it from a styrofoam fishing bait box with a classmate as a science project, there are no vents but we can poke some holes in it .
 
Coreenelane said:
Grandson Drew age 13 made it from a styrofoam fishing bait box with a classmate as a science project, there are no vents but we can poke some holes in it .
Click to expand...

Hello Coreenelane
You need to have some air vents so fresh air comes in and some old air goes out. I have made some DIY incubators and the holes I make are about a dime size. I make one on the lower part of one of the walls and the other one on the opposite wall as high as possible. This helps with air circulation and removes some of the humidity.
 
Thanks I will have the boys do that . They are useing a 25 watt bulb so if the temp goes to low they have a 40 watt bulb on hand.
 
Humidity is important during lockdown. Some people here do a dry incubating till day 18 then increase the humidity. I myself use low humidity during the first 18 days then increase it for lockdown when I hatch eggs using an incubator.
If the humidity is high after creating the vent holes try removing the sponge to see if it decreases. I like to use two hygrometers /thermometers in the incubator. If they are not calibrated, you will get the wrong reading. One time I used a hygrometer that indicated 30% humidity but in reality it was 60% and the temperature was off by 5 degrees lower so my eggs did not make it. Good luck to your grandson with his project.
 
FarmerMac said:
Humidity is important during lockdown. Some people here do a dry incubating till day 18 then increase the humidity. I myself use low humidity during the first 18 days then increase it for lockdown when I hatch eggs using an incubator.
If the humidity is high after creating the vent holes try removing the sponge to see if it decreases. I like to use two hygrometers /thermometers in the incubator. If they are not calibrated, you will get the wrong reading. One time I used a hygrometer that indicated 30% humidity but in reality it was 60% and the temperature was off by 5 degrees lower so my eggs did not make it. Good luck to your grandson with his project.
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xs 2

I prefer a low humidity incubation and will run dry if I can and then at day 18 I raise it to 75%. A good (checked) hygrometer is recommended and checking the air cells (or weighing eggs) is something I consider another must because it will guide you as to how to adjust your humidity.

I use this method and it gives insight to humidity as well: http://letsraisechickens.weebly.com...anuals-understanding-and-controlling-humidity

Best of luck to them.
 
I am using an indoor/outdoor digital weather thermomator that has a hydromotor reading and 24 hr high and low. It was always accurate with the weather readings on the pc for our area and trust it to be right. Put in new batteries to avoid any mishaps. How low can the hunidity be the first 2 weeks? is 35% ok? I removed the water and am almost there. Next the boys have to decide on which eggs to use. Sure wish my silkis were laying maybe next time.
 
Coreenelane said:
I am using an indoor/outdoor digital weather thermomator that has a hydromotor reading and 24 hr high and low. It was always accurate with the weather readings on the pc for our area and trust it to be right. Put in new batteries to avoid any mishaps. How low can the hunidity be the first 2 weeks? is 35% ok? I removed the water and am almost there. Next the boys have to decide on which eggs to use. Sure wish my silkis were laying maybe next time.
Click to expand...
I run 30-35% for the first 17 days. More so 30, but that's my comfort range. I monitor air cells to adjust if needed.
 

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