Hi,
I'm new too and have been going off of the sticky placed at the top of this forum. Here are the pertinent links.
"Read Me's on Hatching"
Incubation and Hatching (including troubleshooting links):
http://www.msstate.edu/dept/poultry/hatch.htm
http://www.msstate.edu/dept/poultry/trouble.htm
http://gallus.tamu.edu/Extension publications/b6092.pdf
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/poultry/factsheets/8.html
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AA204
http://www.ogpbb.com/accessories/incuba
Incubators
http://www.ogpbb.com/accessories/incuba
emperature
Humidity discussion:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=113681
I actually copy just the stuff on humidity and temps so I wouldn't have to keep going back:
"Humidity is carefully controlled to prevent unnecessary loss of egg moisture. The relative humidity in the incubator between setting and three days prior to hatching should remain at 58-60% or 84-86 degree F., wet-bulb. When hatching, the humidity is increased to 65% relative humidity or more.
Temperature, humidity and ventilation of
incubator (set stage)Temperature in the
incubator should be 99.5 degrees F to 100
degrees F (37.5 degrees C). If the temperature
deviates more than 1/2 degree from 100
degrees F, a poor hatch is likely. Temperature
should be checked at least twice a day.
Relative humidity should be set at 86
degrees F to 88 degrees F (30 degrees C) wet
bulb temperature. Humidity should not
fluctuate more than 1 wet bulb degree. If the
incubator uses a passive humidity control
system, water should be added daily to the
water pan or trough to ensure correct humidity
levels.
Humidity in the incubator varies with the different makes and models of the incubator. Read
your manual for the specific setup for your incubator. Most incubators recommend 58-60% or
84-86 degrees between setting the eggs and 3 days prior to hatching. Then you would increase
to 65% during the hatching process.
The embryo must have the proper amount of heat and humidity at all times. Incubator temperatures
not only regulate and determine time of hatch, but also plays a very important part in the quality
of the chick you will produce. Humidity should be carefully controlled to prevent unnecessary
loss of egg moisture. Ive added a picture to show the normal size of the air cell, which is located
in the large end of the egg, after the 7th, 14th and 18th day of incubation. You can check this
by candling the hatching eggs. There is a product called a candler that you can purchase to
correctly candle your hatching eggs. Also, always remember to keep the water trays in the
incubator full. This plays the most important part of your humidity."
The other low humidity levels you are hearing about are for the
dry incubation method. You can do a search on it to get the specifications. I'm doing the old fashioned way because it's my first hatch. Although I will use an egg carton for the actual hatch.
It can be confusing. Good luck in your search and hatch.