Adding water to my incubator

[crazyfeathers]

I use a farm innovators 2400 Styrofoam model as well. Mine is still air, my temp is at 99.5 and i run my humidity at 45-50% for he first 18 days and up to 65% for lockdown. I have had 3 successful hatches already this spring and my 4th hatch goes on lockdown friday. My hatch rates have been incredible. I called the manufacturer and asked what their specs were when they ran their test hatches, and those are the numbers I go by. It seems everyone has their own opinion about humidity but there are variables - location, temperature, or where your incubator is placed you just have to find what works for you.
Good luck

 

[Poison Ivy]

I do 45% humidity days 1-18 and 65% days 19-21. I only add two ounces of water every other day to maintain that percentage. I run aquarium tubing and color code each one to the correct water channel. I have a meat marinade syringe that I use to add the water through the tube.

 

[Sjeane]

Why would you want to reduce it?

The last dry incubation paper i read suggested at running between 15-20% humidity for the first 17 days. not sure how anyone would get it that low, atleast in an area like i live in.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

The last dry incubation paper i read suggested at running between 15-20% humidity for the first 17 days. not sure how anyone would get it that low, atleast in an area like i live in.

There are those that will run at a lower humidity. I am uncomfortable with that. I won't run under 25% for prolonged periods. If my bator will stay above 25% dry, I run dry. If it will not stay above that completely dry I add a wet sponge to keep it at around 30%. While there are people that will incubate that low, many others feel that under 25% as an average is dangerouse to the developing chicks as they still need some moisture to grow and develope properly. I use this method: http://letsraisechickens.weebly.com...anuals-understanding-and-controlling-humidity and I swear by it especially for the styro bators. I feel this is one of the best methods and that if you have checked accurate instruments and a bator that will hold a fairly steady (accurate) temp that you can get great results using it.

 

[ChickenLegs13]

 
Why would you want to reduce it?

The last dry incubation paper i read suggested at running between 15-20% humidity for the first 17 days. not sure how anyone would get it that low, atleast in an area like i live in.

Just keep in mind that "dry" means not adding water; it does not mean to try to run 0% humidity. Too low of humidity isn't a good thing. Depending on what kind of front is moving through my area "dry" can mean anywhere between 20-50%. If it ever gets in the teens then I add a little bit.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Just keep in mind that "dry" means not adding water; it does not mean to try to run 0% humidity. Too low of humidity isn't a good thing. Depending on what kind of front is moving through my area "dry" can mean anywhere between 20-50%. If it ever gets in the teens then I add a little bit.

In the fall I ran "dry" with my bator staying on the average of 40% (I prefer 30%, but hey, as long as it isn't over 45%). The Easter Hal I could not go completely dry because my bator was only holding 16%. Winter weather and a pellet stove running. A wet sponge fixes that and keeps it right about where I like it 30%. I hate the name"dry incubation" it's very misleading. I usually use the term "Low Humidity Incubation" method, because that's really the goal. If you can do it running completely dry -great! I love it when I can run completely dry. But that's not always the case, not and stay in my comfort level.

 

[Sjeane]

OK, thanks all for the information

 

[Donmac]

Have to remember the hen take a break every day of her eggs and she is the expert-----