How bad is uneven humidity through incubation?

[Erin80]

Temperature has been steady throughout, maybe a tad on the low side. Humidity I’ve had a heck of a time getting under control. If I add any water at all, it jumps up to 65%. With no water it’s 30-40%. This is my first time hatching so I’ve been trying to figure it out and the humidity has bounced all over over the past 15 days of incubation. I’m wondering how badly this will affect things. Also, when do I bump the humidity up? Day 18? I’m going to try to hold it between 65-70% during lockdown.
Next time will be better....I learned a ton this time around!

 

[MGG]

Temperature has been steady throughout, maybe a tad on the low side. Humidity I’ve had a heck of a time getting under control. If I add any water at all, it jumps up to 65%. With no water it’s 30-40%. This is my first time hatching so I’ve been trying to figure it out and the humidity has bounced all over over the past 15 days of incubation. I’m wondering how badly this will affect things. Also, when do I bump the humidity up? Day 18? I’m going to try to hold it between 65-70% during lockdown.
Next time will be better....I learned a ton this time around!

It's not bad at all. It shouldn't affect anything as long as your air cells are decent size. Day 18 at lockdown is when you bump it up.

 

[Erin80]

Maybe we still have a chance!

 

[MGG]

Maybe we still have a chance!

You definitely do! Good luck! I always think about how much it must fluctuate under a broody. Like if it rains, or its really hot, etc.

 

[Ridgerunner]

You still have a chance. There is no one perfect humidity for every egg. Each egg is different, each incubator is different, each location that incubator is in is different for us. Some people do better at below 30%, some do better above 50%. There are many different reasons for all of that.

It's not about an instantaneous humidity, it's about how much total moisture loss over the entire period from when the egg is laid until it hatches. And Mother Nature was very kind to us. There is a reasonably wide range of moisture loss that works well. You still want to be as close as you reasonably can but each egg doesn't have to be perfect.

Each egg is different. I understand how precious each egg becomes as soon as you decide to put it in the incubator, but don't be disappointed at less than perfection. What you are looking for is the humidity (or other conditions) where the greatest number hatches in your incubator in your conditions. Those 100% hatches are great but I really don't get a lot of them. It took me about a half-dozen hatches to settle on 40% being a good humidity for me. You are on a learning curve, that first hatch especially can be pretty steep. You are approaching it the right way. Learn on this hatch and improve on the next.

 

[wildwort]

Hi, thought I'd share how I control humidity during incubation..I use a Little Giant still air incubator...only had one hatch so far...terrible time controlling humidity..Central Arkansas has high humidity anyway...struggled with highs all through the incubating period with only 17 of 29 making it. Managed 60-65 first 18 days, then newbie that I am put water in all reservoirs as instructed and fought 70 and 80's through lockdown. I am using my guest bath and used the vent fan and air conditioner floor vent with the door closed to lower humidity...not supposed to open during lockdown..no way to get the water out. OK, new plan. House humidity is 42-52%, so starting out dry..incubator running 42-51%. I closed the door and air conditioner vent, filled the sink half way and played with water level to raise and keep it at 50ish. So far so good and no problem to eliminate water if necessary. I'll keep you posted as things develop...first candle at least. Oh, question...do you guys adjust humidity level when chicks start hatching?? Mine shot up to mid 80's, of course if I have better control as I hope this time shouldn't be that high, Thanks

 

[MGG]

Hi, thought I'd share how I control humidity during incubation..I use a Little Giant still air incubator...only had one hatch so far...terrible time controlling humidity..Central Arkansas has high humidity anyway...struggled with highs all through the incubating period with only 17 of 29 making it. Managed 60-65 first 18 days, then newbie that I am put water in all reservoirs as instructed and fought 70 and 80's through lockdown. I am using my guest bath and used the vent fan and air conditioner floor vent with the door closed to lower humidity...not supposed to open during lockdown..no way to get the water out. OK, new plan. House humidity is 42-52%, so starting out dry..incubator running 42-51%. I closed the door and air conditioner vent, filled the sink half way and played with water level to raise and keep it at 50ish. So far so good and no problem to eliminate water if necessary. I'll keep you posted as things develop...first candle at least. Oh, question...do you guys adjust humidity level when chicks start hatching?? Mine shot up to mid 80's, of course if I have better control as I hope this time shouldn't be that high, Thanks

Thanks for sharing what works for you! Hopefully it will help others. I keep my humidity around 65-70% during lockdown. I up it when I start lockdown (3 days before hatch day.)

 

[Ridgerunner]

My target humidity for lockdown is 65% to 70%. When chicks start hatching and releasing all that moisture it often skyrockets, 85% to 90%. I don't consider that a problem. By that time the eggs have lost all the moisture they are going to and with that high humidity you are not going to shrink-wrap any. Some people worry about it but I don't.

 

[MGG]

My target humidity for lockdown is 65% to 70%. When chicks start hatching and releasing all that moisture it often skyrockets, 85% to 90%. I don't consider that a problem. By that time the eggs have lost all the moisture they are going to and with that high humidity you are not going to shrink-wrap any. Some people worry about it but I don't.

 

[wildwort]

Thanks for your help and info.