Hatching & humidity...

[Travelin Chicks]

I’m about to go insane....have a hovabator 1588 with the new flat egg turner. Today is day 3 thought we were rocking & rolling....but have been reading a hatching fb page & according to them I should have 2 meat thermometers calibrated & stuck through the side of my new high tech incubator.. wet bulb & a dry bulb.... also manufacturer says humidity should be 45-55% for setting.. other site says min 65%.... & that I can’t trust the manufacturers instructions or readings...well they’ve been in there a few days...I tried to add more water but really can not bring it up to the 65% the hatching website says is vital.... do other 1588 owners just go with the manufacturers instructions or do you have other thermometers stuck through the side???? Getting very frustrated... thinking I’m killing my eggs.... anyone have a 1588 ????

 

[ChickNanny13]

I'm no expert, in fact haven't done a hatch and purchased an incubator but I've READ AlOT! Humidity from day one to 18 range 30 - 40%, at lock down 65 - 75%, Temperature is important & depends if it's a still air or forced air unit. It's said the readings on the incubator should be checked with a hygrometer that has been calibrated prior.

I know exactly what you mean about going insane.

Location makes a difference too, living in Hawaii it gets humid with all the rain. I followed the instructions & added water which drove the humidity to 77%, removed the water I got a 35 - 38%. Then read about Dry Incubation
There is a forum "Hatching Eggs 101 by Sally Sunshine" it's a MUST READ

 

[JaeG]

Don't worry, your eggs will be fine - just keep an eye on those air cells and raise or reduce the humidity depending on if they are growing too fast or too slow. If the air cells aren't large enough by the time the chicks pip into them there won't be enough air in them to sustain the chicks until they can make an external pip. But again, don't stress - eggs are amazing and generally lose enough water unless they are exposed to extreme humidity.

You'll find as many different recommendations as there are breeds of chickens so you have to work out what works for you, your incubator and your climate. A reliable hygrometer and thermometer are essential so if you trust the one you've got stick with it. On day 18 you'll need to raise the humidity to at least 60%, but higher is absolutely fine. I've had quail hatching in 99% (briefly when I had to add more water) humidity! It's horribly humid where I am currently. They are regularly hatching in at least 85% humidity just fine though. Which is generally lower than what we are coping with (poorly) outside the incubator! Sometimes it can be difficult to get the humidity up there if your climate is dry so wet sponges and cloths can help a lot, and it's surface area rather than volume of water that affects humidity.

Good luck! Hopefully you'll have a great hatch.

 

[Sharon Moreno]

I’m about to go insane....have a hovabator 1588 with the new flat egg turner. Today is day 3 thought we were rocking & rolling....but have been reading a hatching fb page & according to them I should have 2 meat thermometers calibrated & stuck through the side of my new high tech incubator.. wet bulb & a dry bulb.... also manufacturer says humidity should be 45-55% for setting.. other site says min 65%.... & that I can’t trust the manufacturers instructions or readings...well they’ve been in there a few days...I tried to add more water but really can not bring it up to the 65% the hatching website says is vital.... do other 1588 owners just go with the manufacturers instructions or do you have other thermometers stuck through the side???? Getting very frustrated... thinking I’m killing my eggs.... anyone have a 1588 ????

I will say from personal experience, that the onboard thermometer and hygrometer need to be verified for accuracy. DO NOT TRUST THEM!

 

[ChknNurse]

I’m about to go insane....have a hovabator 1588 with the new flat egg turner. Today is day 3 thought we were rocking & rolling....but have been reading a hatching fb page & according to them I should have 2 meat thermometers calibrated & stuck through the side of my new high tech incubator.. wet bulb & a dry bulb.... also manufacturer says humidity should be 45-55% for setting.. other site says min 65%.... & that I can’t trust the manufacturers instructions or readings...well they’ve been in there a few days...I tried to add more water but really can not bring it up to the 65% the hatching website says is vital.... do other 1588 owners just go with the manufacturers instructions or do you have other thermometers stuck through the side???? Getting very frustrated... thinking I’m killing my eggs.... anyone have a 1588 ????

Personally, I’m not sure a meat thermometer would function properly in an incubator. But that’s just from my experience trying to use one outside of of cooking. I highly recommend the Brinsea Spot check. It also has a metal probe but is intended to be used to Ck your incubator.

Some people use glass thermometers. Mine already has one, so I use the digital probe instead.

Do salt test your hygrometer. Ask if you want help.

Chicknanny13 is right. Sally Sunshine’s guide is wonderful and thorough.