Can't seem to get humidity up for hatch. Any suggestions??

[jbarichivich]

I have a still air incubator and was able to keep the humidity at 50% the first 18 days by having the tray full, two folded wet wash clothes and four very small glass dishes filled with water. Now I have two sponges instead of the washclothes (they fit better under the wire) and one extra sponge in there and can't get it over 53%. Do you think by having that much wet in there they will be ok? Or do I need to find a way to get it increased? If so any suggestions?

We have heard them chirping in their little eggs so know that they are coming soon!!!!

Thanks,
John and Julie

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

stand the sponges up on their sides to increase surface area...otherwise, how many vent holes do you have? Which incubator is it?

 

[chicmom]

Hello-

For the last three days, you need your humidity to be around 65%. (And you're probably going to hear different percentages.) It sure seems like you have ALOT of water in there......really a very large amount. What type of incubator do you have, and also what are you using to measure the humidity?

 

[Chipper]

Do you have all the troughs in the water tray full ? What make is the incubator ?

 

[jbarichivich]

We have a still air incubator. I have pulled both red plugs. Yes all of the tray (spaces) in the bottom are full. It is a Little Giant.

 

[chicmom]

Quote:
So is it like the white styro-foam ones? You should put those plugs back in, if you can't get that humidity up.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Quote:
So is it like the white styro-foam ones? You should put those plugs back in, if you can't get that humidity up.

I wouldn't put them all the way back in, as you don't want to suffocate the chicks, during hatch ventilation is very important. I would suggest turning the plugs upside down and maybe half way covering the holes though.

 

[Chipper]

It sounds like you have plenty of water in the incubator.Some hygrometers have trouble reading the high humidity levels.That would be my guess.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Quote:
oooh, that's a good point! Maybe get a cheap-o hygrometer to double check the one you have! Chipper, you're such a thinker!

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

I would take the time to calibrate the hygrometer, it sounds like there is a lot of water in there. If you do a search you should get a lot of good info.