Air Cell/ Humidity

[lazy gardener]

I don't know of anyone personally that actually lowers it at hatch. I have only seen it suggested in one place of my readings as well. I don't think it would matter either way.

I do believe that the hatcheries do. But, they have high tech thermostats. In fact, they spend as much time trying to get the temp DOWN in the mega hatchers as they do keeping it up during the early incubation phases. IMO, for the home hatcher, best practice might be to drop a degree before hatch, but in reality, we're left dealing with thermostats and thermometers that lack a high degree of accuracy. So, for most of us, once we get the thermostat zeroed in at an acceptable number, it's a mental challenge to mess with it when we're so close to the finish line. When I get my fridgeabator made, perhaps I'll take hatching to that next level.

 

[coachYania]

I do believe that the hatcheries do.  But, they have high tech thermostats.  In fact, they spend as much time trying to get the temp DOWN in the mega hatchers as they do keeping it up during the early incubation phases.  IMO, for the home hatcher, best practice might be to drop a degree before hatch, but in reality, we're left dealing with thermostats and thermometers that lack a high degree of accuracy.  So, for most of us, once we get the thermostat zeroed in at an acceptable number, it's a mental challenge to mess with it when we're so close to the finish line.  When I get my fridgeabator made, perhaps I'll take hatching to that next level.

Thank you, day 18 here. By the way, air cells are big enough in 3 eggs, last one just slightly bigger, my humidity is back to 40, locking down tonight.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I do believe that the hatcheries do. But, they have high tech thermostats. In fact, they spend as much time trying to get the temp DOWN in the mega hatchers as they do keeping it up during the early incubation phases. IMO, for the home hatcher, best practice might be to drop a degree before hatch, but in reality, we're left dealing with thermostats and thermometers that lack a high degree of accuracy. So, for most of us, once we get the thermostat zeroed in at an acceptable number, it's a mental challenge to mess with it when we're so close to the finish line. When I get my fridgeabator made, perhaps I'll take hatching to that next level.

Amen! If I can get my temp w/in a degree of the recommended and keep it there I am happy. I ain't touchin' it. Besides- having hot and cool spots it's just going to mess things up more for me.

 

[WalnutHill]

I don't know of anyone personally that actually lowers it at hatch. I have only seen it suggested in one place of my readings as well. I don't think it would matter either way.

I do, especially when hatching turkeys. It's not necessary but it seems to reduce the wait time between efforts and the amount of panting during hatch.

 

[lazy gardener]

Vikki, how much do you lower, and do you do it when hatching chickens? Are you saying that the pip to chick out is shorter when you decrease the temp? If so, I can see how that would be so.

 

[WalnutHill]

I only drop one degree from incubation temp. The pip to zip time is dependent on incubation temperatures, whether they are "full term", rushed with high temps or delayed and weak with low temps. For correct incubation temps +/- 1F the zip to hatch time is often under 6 hours but more importantly, I don't see them gasping and wheezing while zipping. There will still be a pip delay while they get their lungs tuned up, and this is where equalization of inside the shell humidity and hatcher humidity combined with adequate ventilation is important.

I do lower it for chickens as well.

 

[coachYania]

I only drop one degree from incubation temp.  The pip to zip time is dependent on incubation temperatures, whether they are "full term", rushed with high temps or delayed and weak with low temps.  For correct incubation temps +/- 1F the zip to hatch time is often under 6 hours but more importantly, I don't see them gasping and wheezing while zipping.  There will still be a pip delay while they get their lungs tuned up, and this is where equalization of inside the shell humidity and hatcher humidity combined with adequate ventilation is important.  

I do lower it for chickens as well.

What temperature do you use for still air incubator? Still -1? After pip or starting day 18? Thanks

 

[WalnutHill]

I don't have a still air incubator, but if I did I would target 101.5 to 102 on the warm side of the egg. At lockdown I'd drop to 100.5 to 101. I turn it down the day after lockdown, as I want them to continue to consume the albumen and grow the air cell and move into position, and warmth promotes that. By the day before hatch, they should be in position and should be fairly dry inside the membrane, and all they need to do is pip, zip, and absorb the yolk.

I think that temps too cool at the 18-20th days are what kills many of the dead in shell, as they are often very wet. So if you do this, be sure you have very good control of your temps. I use a digital controller that maintains temperature within 0.3F limits. I could not do this in the Little Giant until I put a digital control on it, and my cabinet is far more stable than the LG.

 

[coachYania]

I don't have a still air incubator, but if I did I would target 101.5 to 102 on the warm side of the egg.  At lockdown I'd drop to 100.5 to 101.  I turn it down the day after lockdown, as I want them to continue to consume the albumen and grow the air cell and move into position, and warmth promotes that.  By the day before hatch, they should be in position and should be fairly dry inside the membrane, and all they need to do is pip, zip, and absorb the yolk.

I think that temps too cool at the 18-20th days are what kills many of the dead in shell, as they are often very wet.  So if you do this, be sure you have very good control of your temps.  I use a digital controller that maintains temperature within 0.3F limits.  I could not do this in the Little Giant until I put a digital control on it, and my cabinet is far more stable than the LG.

Mine is set up to cycle at -/+ .02, still air incubator, I keep it between 38.4 and 38.6 (sorry, mine is in Celsius). Don't think I gonna try it this time as it is my first hatch, maybe next time, thanks!

 

[WalnutHill]

The success of the hatch is the best indicator of whether you have good practices. If chicks hatch on the expected day and have no complications, then don't change a thing! I started dropping the temp when my tabletop incubators turned into saunas while hatching. My new cabinet should not have this issue, but the practice worked well for me in the past and this is my first hatch in the cabinet, so we shall see!