Can't seem to get the perfect balance between humidity and temperature in my homemade incubator.

[Josh7182]

I made a styrofoam incubator with a lightbulb and also vent holes for increasing or decreasing the temperature when needed. The problem I'm having now is when I close the holes, the temperature goes up too high for my liking which is around 38.9 c, if I open the holes the temp would be just nice but the humidty will drop. If I close the holes the temperature will go pretty high and the humidty will be high aswell. I'm on lockdown day and cant see to get the appropriate humidty and temperature at the same time.

 

[JaeG]

Can you add wet cloths/sponges to increase humidity? Ventilation during lockdown is very important as the chicks need access to lots of fresh air/oxygen, so I would leave your vents open and find other ways of increasing the humidity.

Humidity depends on wet surface area. Wet cloths and sponges are ideal because they have a lot of surface area that's easily kept wet. Just ensure they are not touching the eggs as they can actually draw moisture out of the eggs.

 

[Josh7182]

Can you add wet cloths/sponges to increase humidity? Ventilation during lockdown is very important as the chicks need access to lots of fresh air/oxygen, so I would leave your vents open and find other ways of increasing the humidity.

Humidity depends on wet surface area. Wet cloths and sponges are ideal because they have a lot of surface area that's easily kept wet. Just ensure they are not touching the eggs as they can actually draw moisture out of the eggs.

Thanks, how many vents should I open? this is what my setup look like right now. I found the perfect balance if I leave half a hole open.

 

[Swbertrand1]

We use a 1/2 washcloth on the "hatch" incubator floor (in addition to the below-floor area water reservoir) and mist the washcloth as necessary during lockdown if the humidity drops unexpectedly. If the humidity gets too high, we open the lid for a few seconds to let more dry air in.

In your case, reducing the heat MUST be done, so you're stuck with too much ventilation to maintain temperature. The only way I can see to raise the humidity is to add more water. The depth of the water doesn't matter so much; higher humidity will be achieved with more surface area of water exposed. You didn't mention what your water source is, but here's an example: If you're using a small bowl like a ramekin, change to a small coffee saucer; if you're using a coffee saucer, move to larger bread plate, and so on to see if you can get to the humidity you're seeking.

Another solution may be to find a lower wattage light bulb that will create less heat and allow you to close some of the ventilation holes to keep the moisture in the incubator.

As you've now learned, at lockdown is not the time to figure this out. Next time, try to fully test your incubator(s) for at least 2-3 full days before you set eggs so you don't have surprises like this and can fine-tune the incubator for a successful hatch. I hope you find your solution!

 

[JaeG]

Thanks, how many vents should I open? this is what my setup look like right now. I found the perfect balance if I leave half a hole open.

How many eggs have you got in there? More ventilation is needed for more eggs and I think more ventilation is needed for still air, though there's no magic formula.

My incubator (not homemade) could squeeze 50 eggs into it and it has 2 larger vent holes at the top that measure 15mm and 4 small holes about 2cm up from the base spaced around the bottom of the incubator that measure 3mm (hope that makes sense). That allows air to be drawn in from the bottom and exit from the top. I'd add 4 small holes at the base of your incubator and, as long as you don't have too many eggs in there, half a vent hole open should be good.

 

[Josh7182]

We use a 1/2 washcloth on the "hatch" incubator floor (in addition to the below-floor area water reservoir) and mist the washcloth as necessary during lockdown if the humidity drops unexpectedly. If the humidity gets too high, we open the lid for a few seconds to let more dry air in.

In your case, reducing the heat MUST be done, so you're stuck with too much ventilation to maintain temperature. The only way I can see to raise the humidity is to add more water. The depth of the water doesn't matter so much; higher humidity will be achieved with more surface area of water exposed. You didn't mention what your water source is, but here's an example: If you're using a small bowl like a ramekin, change to a small coffee saucer; if you're using a coffee saucer, move to larger bread plate, and so on to see if you can get to the humidity you're seeking.

I used a container with wet sponges and a bottle filled with water and a cloth as the wick, I found the perfect balance between temperature and humidity after adding the bottle and the wick which seemed to be a miracle. Only concern now is whether my half a ventilation for holes give or take is enough fresh air for the chicks.

Another solution may be to find a lower wattage light bulb that will create less heat and allow you to close some of the ventilation holes to keep the moisture in the incubator.

As you've now learned, at lockdown is not the time to figure this out. Next time, try to fully test your incubator(s) for at least 2-3 full days before you set eggs so you don't have surprises like this and can fine-tune the incubator for a successful hatch. I hope you find your solution!

Yeahh, I tested out for the outcome before lockdown, didnt test for during the lockdown period and yeah, I learn from this mistake. Thank you!

 

[Josh7182]

How many eggs have you got in there? More ventilation is needed for more eggs and I think more ventilation is needed for still air, though there's no magic formula.

I've got around 12 quail eggs inside.

My incubator (not homemade) could squeeze 50 eggs into it and it has 2 larger vent holes at the top that measure 15mm and 4 small holes about 2cm up from the base spaced around the bottom of the incubator that measure 3mm (hope that makes sense). That allows air to be drawn in from the bottom and exit from the top. I'd add 4 small holes at the base of your incubator and, as long as you don't have too many eggs in there, half a vent hole open should be good.

Ahh I see, do you think that half a vent give or take is enough for 12 eggs? I don't really want to change anything bcs I'm afraid it makes drastic changes in temperature wise.

 

[JaeG]

I've got around 12 quail eggs inside.

Ahh I see, do you think that half a vent give or take is enough for 12 eggs? I don't really want to change anything bcs I'm afraid it makes drastic changes in temperature wise.

I think that will be fine. I find in my incubator that adding water for lockdown can cause the temperature to spike, so I completely understand about not wanting to change another variable.

Let us know how you get on. Quail chicks are super cute.

 

[Josh7182]

I think that will be fine. I find in my incubator that adding water for lockdown can cause the temperature to spike, so I completely understand about not wanting to change another variable.

Let us know how you get on. Quail chicks are super cute.

Okay thanks, this is my first time trying to hatch some eggs and tried to make my own incubator, not sure if any will hatch but I'll update it here, thanks for all the help and replies everyone