Confused on humidity...

[rosyposyosy]

Someone told me 40-50% humidity on the first 18 days, and 60-70% the last 3.

This place says 55% to 60% the first 18 days, and 70% the last 3-4 days.
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/html/pnw/pnw478/

And for my random question: When the eggs come in the mail, I wait like 24 hours before I put them in my incubator, or under my broody hen, right?

 

[speckledhen]

rosy, I think the first 18 days are best if you dont go over 50%. The last three, I go 65-70%, so 70 is okay. You dont want it to go over 70% because when they start hatching, they automatically add to that. I saw one site that said make it 80%! You'd drown them.
You can wait till the eggs come to room temp, not necessarily a full 24 hours. I've waited as little as five hours and had a terrific hatch.

 

[rosyposyosy]

ok, thank you so much speckledhen!

 

[speckledhen]

You are so welcome!

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Every site is going to tell you something different....Like Cyn says this is what works for us anywhere between 40 to 50% the first 18 days and then 60 to 70%...anywhere in those guidelines works..chicks add to the humidity as they start hatching out..I've waited as little as 6 hours to set shipped eggs and as long as 24, all with good hatches.....just let your eggs come up to room temps well....