Help! Humidity keeps going down.

[AmyLynn2374]

That's what I meant... it has happened to me... pretty frustrating until I figured out what was going on

You wouldn't normally think about something like that because it seems like such an insufficient amount of moisture.

 

[snaffle]

I have a styrofoam incubator... the humidity will skyrocket if I spill water in it... or dump water out. I will raise more than 10%

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I have a styrofoam incubator... the humidity will skyrocket if I spill water in it... or dump water out. I will raise more than 10%

I have a styro as well. Older model lg.

 

[Bradfordj]

Please, before you let an other day go by, read the information in the learning center regarding "dry hatch". Lots of chicks are killed by following the instructions that come with an incubator! You'll get a much better hatch keeping your humidity down to around 30% during the first 18 days of incubation. Read all of the information in "Hatching 101" and you'll have a much better idea of what's going on and how to optimize your hatch. Most important: calibrate your thermometer to 100*, and keep that humidity down until lock down.

I have to disagree with this. Not that you are wrong, but everyone's environments, incubators, and hatching procedures vary. There are general guidelines to follow, however they work for some and don't for others. I just purchased birds from a man who is hatching large amounts of birds. 100 on some days. 2 sportsman and 3 styro for lockdown who incubates at 50% and has very successful hatches. Not saying it works for everyone, but works for him. In my case living 2 hours from after 3 poor hatches I am leaning to believe dry hatch may better suit me.

 

[lazy gardener]

I have to disagree with this. Not that you are wrong, but everyone's environments, incubators, and hatching procedures vary. There are general guidelines to follow, however they work for some and don't for others. I just purchased birds from a man who is hatching large amounts of birds. 100 on some days. 2 sportsman and 3 styro for lockdown who incubates at 50% and has very successful hatches. Not saying it works for everyone, but works for him. In my case living 2 hours from after 3 poor hatches I am leaning to believe dry hatch may better suit me.

You disagree with me regarding the recommendation to read and become educated before trying to hatch eggs? Or do you disagree with my recommendation for a dry (ie lower humidity during days 1 - 18) hatch? Which, if I read you correctly, that's what you're doing.

Yes, I do agree with you regarding environment, incubators and varied hatching procedures. That's why it's so very important to read and become educated before taking that step to foster the creation of life.

 

[snaffle]

I have to disagree with this. Not that you are wrong, but everyone's environments, incubators, and hatching procedures vary. There are general guidelines to follow, however they work for some and don't for others. I just purchased birds from a man who is hatching large amounts of birds. 100 on some days. 2 sportsman and 3 styro for lockdown who incubates at 50% and has very successful hatches. Not saying it works for everyone, but works for him. In my case living 2 hours from after 3 poor hatches I am leaning to believe dry hatch may better suit me.

Am I understanding correctly... this man has successful hatches and 50% of the eggs set are hatching? I get a little over 50% and I consider those hatches almost disasterous.

 

[snaffle]

Some people live in areas where the humidity is naturally high enough that a dry hatch works. For others, there humidity can be too low which would make a dry hatch unsuccessful.

The humidity in my house is about 35%. If I dont add any water to my incubators the humidity will drop to about 10%. I would not want to chance a dry.

I put water in to keep the incubator between 30 and 40% When it dropps to 20 or just under, I will add a bit of water to a sponge to bring it back up.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Am I understanding correctly... this man has successful hatches and 50% of the eggs set are hatching? I get a little over 50% and I consider those hatches almost disasterous.

I believe the 50% is in reference to the amount of humidity not the hatch rate. At least that was how I read it. I usually add a bit of water when it hits under 25% I really liked the fall hatch when I didn't have to worry about adding water at all because it stayed around 40% completely dry.

 

[Bradfordj]

90% plus hatch rates using 50% humidity during incubation. All I was saying is that I don't think there is set guidelines that work for everyone. Dry hatches may not be the answer for everyone, even though my next I will try this method.

 

[snaffle]

Duh me... lol... 50% humidity... of course

I have eggs in the hatcher right now. Filled #1, @2 and a small center 'bowl'

Can not keep the humidity up for the life of me. When the hatcher was empty for days, those water wells filled with water kept the humidity at 60%

It keeps dropping down to 50%
I am adding water through the vent hole at least 3 times a day to keep the humidity up.