High Humidity Please Help

[DwayneNLiz]

What hygrometer do you have?

 

[getaclue]

Living in Florida, our humidity is crazy high most of the time. 48 - 49% is not overly bad. Just make sure to add a little water to one chamber at lockdown, but don't go over 60%

 

[MrsChicky55]

Living in Florida, our humidity is crazy high most of the time. 48 - 49% is not overly bad. Just make sure to add a little water to one chamber at lockdown, but don't go over 60%

Thanks, having an idea of what % to do at lockdown will definitely help! I was worried about that.

 

[MrsChicky55]

What hygrometer do you have?

The hygrometer in the Little Giant Incubator reads 48-49%
The hygrometer I originally bought but had little faith in was day 1 reading 80% but is currently reading 30-38% (Magicfly) (Temp is reading 70 F).
I just bought a new hygrometer from imagitarium it is reading 28%.

My new issue is the Temperature! The Thermometer in the Incubator rads 99.5. The thermometer on the Magicfly is clearly broken it says 70F. My kids thermometer I've used for years and is pretty accurate (same I use in the hospital) reads L meaning to low to read - not good. So I tried my meat thermometer it reads 95. I bought a new thermometer from Imagitarium it also reads 95.

So if I've been incubating my eggs at 95 instead of 99.5.... How screwed am I? This is day 10! I'm increasing the temp as we speak.

Between the humidity and now the temperature, I'm afraid I'm going to loose them all! I'm going to candle in a little bit. I checked on day 6 and all but 8 showed growth, one was the red circle of death. The rest I could just see the egg sac and the shadow of the yolk. If they are still not showing development... At what point do I toss them?

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

You're fine but I understand the panic. My incubator has a cool spot with temps sometimes around 95. They develop fine. Your eggs may hatch late but it's much better than overheating. I'd bumb it up sloooowly. Increase half degree at a time with 30-45 minutes to equalize before touching it again. I go off of egg shell temp above all others thermometers.

Who knew incubating could be so stressful? Expecially those first few hatches where you're dialing in what works with your machine in your area. I'm still new to it myself so those initial hatches, with their steep learning curve, are very fresh in my mind. You're going great and very attentive. You'll definitely get some beautiful chicks here in 2 more weeks.

 

[DwayneNLiz]

i never trust the hygro or thermo that comes with the bator
they are known to be inaccurate

i wouldnt stress about humidity, just check AC growth

and my thought is, if it dont stink, it stays
but i also incubate some breeds that you cant see into their eggs

Good Luck!

 

[MrsChicky55]

So day 14 I candled my eggs and they look about right for the air cell growth per your chart. 19 Eggs with good development.

i never trust the hygro or thermo that comes with the bator
they are known to be inaccurate

i wouldnt stress about humidity, just check AC growth

View attachment 1156938

and my thought is, if it dont stink, it stays
but i also incubate some breeds that you cant see into their eggs

Good Luck!

So far 19 Eggs with good development out of 34 (12 upon egg-topsy didn't have bullseyes so I'm thinking not fertilized?).

Today's day 15, temps & humidity have normalized for quite a while now. So fingers crossed come day 18 everything will still look good for lockdown! I'll update to let people know how it worked out with the hatch despite the humidity issues.

 

[venymae]

I completely agree with not worrying about the humidity, and simply check that your air cells are growing properly. Look a little small? Less humidity. Look a little big? Increase humidity. I'm in a fairly humid area and I always run dry incubations. Never adding water. As long as the air cells are looking like they are supposed your are good. At lockdown, I just crank the humidity as high as I can get it (usually 70-80% according to my totally not calibrated hydrometer). It will pop way up once the first chick hatches anyway!

 

[BYC910]

Wacky little giant Go to walmart and get a fish aquarium thermometer . They cost under three dollars . But they are spot on accurate . Use it at egg top height to calibrate the on board thermometer in the LG . And this little hygrometer is the best one I have found .It's called a hygroset II and what I like about it is it can be set to the right humidity after calibration . It is made for humidors .Have to order it off EBAY that's where I found it the cheapest. Cost around $20.00 the thermometer is always off a little bit but two of the three I have came out of the box spot on when I calibrated them Tiny little thing about the size of and oreo cookie . Good luck with your lockdown and hatch

 

[MrsChicky55]

View attachment 1160935 Wacky little giant Go to walmart and get a fish aquarium thermometer . They cost under three dollars . But they are spot on accurate . Use it at egg top height to calibrate the on board thermometer in the LG . And this little hygrometer is the best one I have found .It's called a hygroset II and what I like about it is it can be set to the right humidity after calibration . It is made for humidors .Have to order it off EBAY that's where I found it the cheapest. Cost around $20.00 the thermometer is always off a little bit but two of the three I have came out of the box spot on when I calibrated them Tiny little thing about the size of and oreo cookie . Good luck with your lockdown and hatch View attachment 1160938

Thank you so much for the Thermometer and hygrometer recommendations. It's much appreciated. Definitely want to get new ones before my next hatch. Then again might get a different incubator too considering I borrowed this one.