Dry incubation ? and mild temp fluctuation ? Thanks

[tiki244]

Silkie Chicken help:I have a foam incubator and want to dry hatch my chickies. Can you recomend humidity for first 18 days? would it be 40% as in article? The reason I am asking is because in other post it sounded like you were recomending a higher humidity.

Also I have question on temp. It fluctuates mildly in the water wiggler- would it be ok to have it fluctuate from 99-100.5. the other option would be on the higher temps and I was just thinking the lower temps might be safer. Or should I run out and get a better thermostat?

Thanks

 

[silkiechicken]

I have never followed the article so am not sure what to say about it. You can try it though. I don't measure humidity so I have no idea what it is at though out the hatch. I just fill up water for the first two weeks and then let it go dry for the rest of the hatch. I keep an eye on air cell development and go by that to decide if I add or don't add water. It may not work in all areas though, as the ambient humidity here is 60-100 since it is usually raining, but if air conditioning or heating is on, the inside humidity might get even lower.

I say you should start out with a test batch of eggs and go with the standard or dry incubation method, and change little details with each batch of eggs. The time of year, down to the room you have your incubator in can make a difference on how your bator preforms, so you have to learn what works best in your situation. If you have a fan in there, I say 99-100.5 will be fine in the water wiggler. I also don't use a water wiggler and just measure temps at egg level.

The best thing you can do is set your eggs, watch temps and not open the bator. It's hard, but it can be done.

 

[tiki244]

Thank you :


I have humidifier in room because it is dry dry dry here, windows covered, even temp of 72* Have a styrofoam incubator 2X2X1 1/2: do I vent a lot say 4 holes @ 1/2" diameter or more or less?? TY

I am familiar with aircell development because I candled my broodys eggs all the time so at least I know what I am looking for there

I think I will add a layer of coating to outside of styrofoam???

I have lost two batches of eggs already to high temp spikes and my ladys are slowing down now. But one of these days I will come up with some chicks. Hopefully

 

[silkiechicken]

Good luck with your hatch! Temps are much more important to watch than numbers for humidity, as, as long as they lose enough water while being incubated, they should be fine. Just try to make sure by day 18, they look like the ones your broody had.