Adding water to Incubator

[jhrutkay]

I just got the HovaBator 1588 yesterday..........Plugged it in and it is cool. Got my egg turner in there and everything.

Holds at 100 degrees without me doing anything.......which is great.

My question is about the humidity. I got a hygrometer.......got it working and it is holding at 65% which from what I read is a good number.

I am getting ready to put my eggs in.

Is there a rule of thumb about how much water I need to add to maintain the humidity. I think it said to add water everyday and I know it should be warm water (correct?).........is it about 1/2 cup........1/4 cup or anything like that or am I just supposed to test it out and work it own on my own because of all the variables here in my house.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[horsejody]

Just add water when the humidity drops, or put a wet sponge in.

 

[twigg]

Quote:
65 is too high.

Check that there is only water in the appropriate trays (it's in the manual) You want the humidity to be nearer to 50.

The water surface area is the important factor. You increase it to raise RH, and decrease it to lower. Add warm water if you can.

Good luck

 

[jhrutkay]

50% is best to start out???

what should I raise it to when they start hatching?

It is hard to see the bottom of the Hovabator when you pour water in.........hard to tell where it goes

 

[twigg]

Quote:
Generally 45 to 50, yes. Raise it to around 70 from day 18

 

[duck&chickencrazy]

i thought it was 30-40f to start out

 

[Sissy]

Mine came in --- My hova-1588 and is holding 51-57 hum and Its steady
since last week temp holding 100 and Im leaving it as is..
this is my first try and will see what happens..
I use a straw with a small sz. funnel to add 4oz when the hum. drops.
I add hot water.

 

[coffeemama]

45-50% is generally recommended I think. Then 65-70% after day 18. I just add water to the middle well (fill it) every 2 days but we have a fairly humid climate. Then I fill the next well and add a few sponge strips if needed after day 18.

 

[horsejody]

Different levels work for different people. The MS State website says:

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.

The UN website says:

The relative humidity inside the incubator should be between 50 percent and 55 percent during the first 18 days and between 60 percent and 65 percent during the remainder of the incubation period.


Some people are successful using what is called the "dry incubation method." I'm not sure what they say the humidity levels should be.

 

[twigg]

Quote:
The first sets of numbers are near enough for most purposes.

NO ONE is successful with Dry Incubation. It's a crank theory which, in practise, is never achieved.

The question isn't whether or not moisture in the air is necessary (it is) but rather how much.

Those who profess dry incubation are doing nothing of the sort, and any of them who achieve results above about 50% hatch rate are living in a very damp climate.

They probably think that mold on the walls is a sign of good health too.