Hatching Do's and Don'ts. Help

[chicken danz]

Every thing I read and and everyone I know who hatches poultry of some kind, tells me something different for incubator hatching. Humidity is one thing no one agrees on. Another is washing eggs. I use two styrofoam incubators. One with a turner and fan and another one that is still air with no turner. When I reach day 21 for my pheasant eggs, I switch eggs to the still air from the turning one. How should I maintain humidity in each of these? This is the type with the little water trays built in. I don't have a humidity tester and can only regulate by the amount I put in the trays. I've heard to keep humidity low and high in both incubators. I need some clarification from people out there on what works best.
Also how to; or if to wash eggs. I am hatching pheasants now and the people I know who hatch pheasants don't wash their eggs but most of what I read says to. So do you wash them or not and what do you use to do so?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

You will always get conflicting information because each individual location has an effect on the incubation of eggs, and then there are the different incubators, humidity preferences, etc.

I suggest getting a hydrometer so you are not guessing on your humidity. Try a clutch both ways - dry and moist - see which style works best for you.

I know for my area - I have single digit humidity naturally, so it can be a struggle to raise humidity for lockdown. I use additional containers of water with paper towels to help evaporation.

 

[chicken danz]

So what about washing eggs? Any opinions on that?

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

I do not wash my eggs - but have read of others who do. If I have a really dirty egg that I must hatch - I will take a dry towel and wipe what I can off the egg. I know there are companies who make "egg dip" that cleans the egg - but personally - if mother nature does not need to wash the eggs before a hen sets, I guess I do not see the need either.


But you can always try it with a washed clutch and unwashed clutch.

 

[ranchhand]

I have found that a medium grit flexible sanding sponge is great for knocking the worst of the poop off. I don't wash, eggs are very porous.

 

[Mrs. Feathers]

I agree with the suggestion to purchase a hygrometer. You can go to a pet store that sells lizards and get very nice, easy to use, digital ones for not much money. Well worth not wasting your eggs. I think I paid $15 for ours and it works like a charm.
I also do not wash eggs.