I am trying the dry incubation method this time, but think im a little too dry. Humidity has been lower this time, I guess from the heater running. I started out the first couple of days around 26% and had a hard time getting it up. Now I am running 34-37%. Is this a good level???
I did dry incubation last time and this time. I only put water in when it got down to about 27% and then not a whole lot of water. Most of the time it stayed in the low 30's so I think you are good. Becky
I had the best hatch ever this time. 33 out of 39 eggs hatched and one more pipped but did not make it out. I kept the humidity low,around 30% for the first 19 days. I DID NOT INCREASE HUMIDITY UNTIL LATE DAY 19! Then I increased it to only 60%. I had babies popping out like popcorn. I think this allowed the air cell to get larger,giving the chick more air to breath between internally pipping and pipping the outer shell. It worked for me.
I hope mine does as well. Everyone has raved about how well it has worked for them and improved their hatch rate. I can't wait till I candle tomorrow- day 7- and get an idea of how things are going.
Is this something new? Dry incubation? Whats the temp set at? How much water do you add? I would like to try it! Thanks!
if you can keep your room humidity up at about 50percent which I did I didnt have to add water at all the first eighteen days. I add two teaspoons full if it drops to twenty five. then for hatch I hatch at 58 percent have had the greatest hatches since I started using the dry method. In the first eighteen days like it to stay at about 32 but I never add water until it drops to 25
Here is some info on dry incubation.... https://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-DryIncubation.html Most stay 30%-35% only adding water if below 25% Good luck !!
I've had great luck with dry, normally my house stays around 37-40% and I just add a touch of water the last couple of days to get it in the 50% range. Normally I would say my hatch rate is around 90%, including counting non fertilized and blood spots. I have had far better luck incubating dry than wet.
