The 9th Annual BYC Easter Hatchalong!

[LilJoe]

BTW guys... I'm hatching a small number because I had to wait a little over 3 weeks to collect eggs due to me switching roosters.

 

[ChickenMath101]

What kind of incubator do you have? You can partially cover a well with a piece of aluminum foil, or take out a sponge...

What are some way to lower the humidity in the bator? I tried rice in a sock, but no luck.

The eggs I set in it tomorrow will increase the humidity. I'm thinking lower it to 35-40% so that it will be at 45% until day 18 then increase to 50-55%

 

[LilJoe]

What kind of incubator do you have? You can partially cover a well with a piece of aluminum foil, or take out a sponge...

Deluxe 11300 Little Giant... it sucks but I'm forced to use it because I have eggs in my better bator.
I have both holes unplugged to decrease humidity but it seems to only rise.. 50% at the moment.

 

[Madonna m]

try just laying a towel on top

Do you mean to cover the lid? Should I leave vent holes open or cover them too.

 

[ronott1]

Some of my eggs have bigger air cells. Think humidity around 44% is ok for a few days? I'll add smaller water when it runs out but hate to tear everything apart right now.

44% is a good place to start.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

44% is a good place to start.

Thanks that's what I hoped for. Seems many like to be in the 30s so I started to worry.

 

[ronott1]

Thanks that's what I hoped for. Seems many like to be in the 30s so I started to worry.

Humidity is used to help with air cell growth\moisture loss. It is an average over incubation--first 18 days for chickens. The best thing to do is monitor the air cells. Older egg will have bigger air cells so they would need to start at a higher humidity. Then watch growth of the air cells like on this chart:



Adjust humidity as needed

 

[foxvalleyfarm]

Wowzers!

That is a lot of eggs!

...You must have set all of them!

It is alot. And I did set them all.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Humidity is used to help with air cell growth\moisture loss. It is an average over incubation--first 18 days for chickens. The best thing to do is monitor the air cells. Older egg will have bigger air cells so they would need to start at a higher humidity. Then watch growth of the air cells like on this chart:

View attachment 1291854

Adjust humidity as needed

I think I understand, so assuming mid 40s is a bit high this should be good for the older eggs in my batch. Then evaluate at 7 days.

 

[maddysmamaw]

I set 22 eggs in all. 11 ducks and 11 from my mixed flock. This is my first time using a still air so I put the chicken eggs in as a heat sink for the ducks.