Help! first time hatching!

[AmyLynn2374]

If you can decrease the humidity in the room it will help to a small extent to decrease the humidity in the bator. Some people have had luck with using unpopped popcorn or the silicon pouches (like those found in clothes pockets and pill bottles).

 

[Lacrystol]

I'm not an expert, but why would one want 16% ? Anyway... What is the RH of the room and closet, how big is the closet, and what brand /model dehumidifier is in the closet?

-Kathy

Dry hatching, it's the way I like it.. I does wonders to both ducks and chickens. It works for me..

Closet is about 5 feet tall about 2 maybe 2 1/2 feet wide, just enough to fit the bator. Don't know exact measurements. Completely air tight when the door is closed

Not sure about the make and model of the humidifier...

 

[Lacrystol]

Regarding my post about 16%... I made it because someone posted that it's not a good idea to incubate at less than 20%. Don't know how true that is... just want to hear more on the subject.

-Kathy

It's not true, I have hatched at that percent up until now. Now I can't get it lower then 30 unless I do put it in a room with a a/c window unit, but I want to keep the bator in my room and not have to move it each time..

Perhaps I need to look into a Window A/C unit. LOL. But I am curious on what Amy's thoughts are or suggestions..

 

[WVduckchick]

silkiecuddles - is there a model number on that bator? Or maybe google for pics to find the model, then you can look up whether it has a fan or not.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Regarding my post about 16%... I made it because someone posted that it's not a good idea to incubate at less than 20%. Don't know how true that is... just want to hear more on the subject.

-Kathy

I, personally won't run lower than 25% humidity for the duration of my hatches. From some of the reading I've done and what my brain tells me, is if it is too dry for the duration of the incubation, you can end up with membranes that are tougher to pierce. I don't know how accurate and true it may be, but I decided on this one to err on the side of safety. I'm not comfortable going too low, plus I find that generally under 25% the air cells grow too fast and I only use less than 25% if I feel I need to increase the air cell size and then that's just for a night.

 

[Lacrystol]

If you can decrease the humidity in the room it will help to a small extent to decrease the humidity in the bator. Some people have had luck with using unpopped popcorn or the silicon pouches (like those found in clothes pockets and pill bottles).

Do you know if those things work? I have not tried that, so how would one get the Room humidity down? without having to purchase a new A/C system which would cost us about $3000 or a Window A/C unit which is about $200 or so?

My next hatching IF I decide to hatch any more ducks is a secret hiding place here at my work. LOL... But I'm debating on trying any more for the year..

 

[casportpony]

I thought that "dry hatching" meant that eggs are incubated in a range, not that it means remove all water from the incubator. In some cases, like yours, maybe it is appropriate, but for me it's not, 'cause if I were to remove all water from mine, the humidity would drop to 0%.

-Kathy

 

[Lacrystol]

I, personally won't run lower than 25% humidity for the duration of my hatches. From some of the reading I've done and what my brain tells me, is if it is too dry for the duration of the incubation, you can end up with membranes that are tougher to pierce. I don't know how accurate and true it may be, but I decided on this one to err on the side of safety. I'm not comfortable going too low, plus I find that generally under 25% the air cells grow too fast and I only use less than 25% if I feel I need to increase the air cell size and then that's just for a night.

I have always hatched at 16% anything higher, I get sticky babies.. But ONLY on my ducks, not chickens. Chickens seem to not have a problem what so ever.

 

[casportpony]

Quote: That's what I remember reading...

-Kathy

 

[Lacrystol]

I thought that "dry hatching" meant that eggs are incubated in a range, not that it means remove all water from the incubator. In some cases, like yours, maybe it is appropriate, but for me it's not, 'cause if I were to remove all water from mine, the humidity would drop to 0%.

-Kathy

It works for me at 16%, haven't had any Issues until this year when the A/C went out. Now my luck has turned for the worst.