Dry incubation

[Akane]

How can they develop the same as when you do add water?

Eggs have to lose water to make room for the growing chick. If the humidity is too high the chick drowns either in the membrane or the excess moisture collects in the air cell and when the chick pips it meets water instead of air. Less water helps development. The need for humidity comes when they start hatching and have to break through the membrane and get out of the shell. If it's too dry then they may not be able to break the rubbery membrane or may stick to the shell.

I'm not running mine dry but I am running it much lower humidity than the last hatch. Below 40%.​

 

[penelope77]

my humidity ran between 30-40% on my latest guinea hatch and all seven hatched.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Maybe I will try that with my last hatch. I'll keep the humidity around 35-40%

 

[Robinreneah]

http://www.buy.com/prod/oregon-scientific-rmr382a-black-wireless-indoor-outdoor-thermometer/203386685.html

I put one of these in my incubator and regulate the humidity to a dry incubation level. My Indiana incubation success has gone from 30% to 95%. I have not tried this with waterfowl. I absolutely recommend it!!!

 

[TriciaHowe]

I hatch my duck eggs right a long side my chicken eggs. I don't let mine dip below 35% and always have excellent hatches.... I don't up my humidity at the end over 50% either....

 

[pete55]

Hi

We have links on our website that gives full details about dry incubation.

http://oakgarthgeese.com

Pete

 

[shanshan51]

My first three hatches were a bust and very few made it to lock down. Trying the dry method with shipped eggs. Out of 14 shipped eggs 8 have made it ALIVE and to lockdown as of this morning! I am crossing my fingers because I was pretty bummed before.

 

[rmh0508]

I upped my hatch rate by 30% by going to dry incubation. I didn't have a problem with my humidity at all since my basement is kinda wet anyway...