Dry hatch in LG

[beepbeepinajeep]

My last hatch we had several that pipped below the air cell & drowned. I am interested in dry hatching, but wondered how you do it. Do you add humidity close to hatch time? I plan on running it a day or two before putting eggs in where I can see what the humidity is. We live in humid NC... so I am hoping this helps. Does it make any difference if I am hatching chickens vs. quail? TIA!

 

[marytoast]

There was a great thread about this a while back. I'll look for it.

 

[marytoast]

Here is 1 post. It is not the one I was thinking of but it might help.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=70959

another one

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=113681&p=3

 

[keesmom]

I used the dry incubation method when I had my LGs, and I'm in MA.

No water was added for days 1-18. I put water in the wells once I took the eggs out of the turner. RH was around 50 to maybe 60%. That seemed to be what worked best for me. Some hatches were better than others but then I was using shipped eggs.

You may still need to tweak the method to what works best for you though. Good luck!

-Cindy in MA

 

[SPRING CREEK FARM]

The BYC Learning Center has a good article in Chickens 101 about Dry Hatching that is very good. My first try at the incubator did not give the results that I wanted and I decided to try the dry hatch method. I had such success with it and it is the only way that I incubate now. Our weather here in middle Tennessee is certainly humid in the summer just like where you are;I tried to follow the instructions about adding all that water to the bator and I believe that is why my first hatch did not hatch out very well. I have hatched out chickens and pheasants together using this dry hatch method and it works for me!!!

 

[NashChic]

Quote:
What type of incubator are you using? I'm in Nashville, and my DH just gave me the "ok" to get a bator. I read about the dry hatch method earlier (in the learning center) and thought it looked like it would work for me. I'm planning to set up the bator in the basement since the temp stays pretty constant down there. Also, it's pretty humid. We run a dehumidifier 24/7. Do you think that would be a good plan? Could I get away with a still-air model if they temp is pretty constant in the room?

beepbeepinajeep... is your LG a forced air or still air?

 

[SPRING CREEK FARM]

Quote:
What type of incubator are you using? I'm in Nashville, and my DH just gave me the "ok" to get a bator. I read about the dry hatch method earlier (in the learning center) and thought it looked like it would work for me. I'm planning to set up the bator in the basement since the temp stays pretty constant down there. Also, it's pretty humid. We run a dehumidifier 24/7. Do you think that would be a good plan? Could I get away with a still-air model if they temp is pretty constant in the room?

beepbeepinajeep... is your LG a forced air or still air?

I have 2 HovaBator 1602s; they sell them at our local farmers co-op. I have the turners but no fan for either. (they are still air) I also have mine placed in our finished basement in a bedroom that has no windows. The temps stay constant and the humidity works great! I have chicks hatching at home right now!

 

[beepbeepinajeep]

Quote:
What type of incubator are you using? I'm in Nashville, and my DH just gave me the "ok" to get a bator. I read about the dry hatch method earlier (in the learning center) and thought it looked like it would work for me. I'm planning to set up the bator in the basement since the temp stays pretty constant down there. Also, it's pretty humid. We run a dehumidifier 24/7. Do you think that would be a good plan? Could I get away with a still-air model if they temp is pretty constant in the room?

beepbeepinajeep... is your LG a forced air or still air?

Mine is forced air. I got a 50% hatch with added humidity, but nearly all developed. The ones that were developed but didn't hatch had pipped below the air cell

I am really starting to get quail eggs and want to do a hatch where we will have a few more I am going to have to buy some quail rails. Can you use some chicken rails along with quail rails in the same hatch on the turner?