Humidity dropping fast.

[BubbaLikesIt]

When I started the incubation 7 days ago, the humidity was easy to control. A few drops of water in each (2) trays brought the humidity up to 60%. I opened the vents on the incubator and in hours it dropped to 45% and I have kept it at 45% since then without adding water. Yesterday, on the 6th day, the humidity dropped to 35% so I added the same amount of water as I did when I started. This brought the humidity up to 46% and not the original 60%. This morning the same thing, 35% again. I added the same amount of water and I am waiting to see if it comes back to 46%. I am using a Hygrometer from the cigar shop that passed the salt test with 74% in 24 hours. Now, is it because the eggs are losing water during incubation and it is taking more humidity to keep up? The first initial high humidity reading was due to the eggs just starting out and the humidity held steady because of the egg losing fluid. Now that the water escaping the egg has lowered, more water will have to be added to make up for the loss.

Does the say anything like I have had the humidity too low during incubation or is the bottom level 35% and I shouldn't worry about it?

 

[WalnutHill]

The best step is to candle the eggs and mark the air cells on several, then compare to the air cell charts. They do need to grow, ideally at an even pace, during incubation. The amount of water you add controls the rate of air cell growth.

 

[BubbaLikesIt]

I hate to say this but here goes. I tried candling an egg at 4 days just to see what I could see. Not much. I think the eggs are so dark brown that I am going to need a stronger candle light. The egg candler I bought is weaker in lumens than my small flashlight. I was thinking about making a candling box today with 2-100 watt bulbs.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

When I started the incubation 7 days ago, the humidity was easy to control. A few drops of water in each (2) trays brought the humidity up to 60%. I opened the vents on the incubator and in hours it dropped to 45% and I have kept it at 45% since then without adding water. Yesterday, on the 6th day, the humidity dropped to 35% so I added the same amount of water as I did when I started. This brought the humidity up to 46% and not the original 60%. This morning the same thing, 35% again. I added the same amount of water and I am waiting to see if it comes back to 46%. I am using a Hygrometer from the cigar shop that passed the salt test with 74% in 24 hours. Now, is it because the eggs are losing water during incubation and it is taking more humidity to keep up? The first initial high humidity reading was due to the eggs just starting out and the humidity held steady because of the egg losing fluid. Now that the water escaping the egg has lowered, more water will have to be added to make up for the loss.

Does the say anything like I have had the humidity too low during incubation or is the bottom level 35% and I shouldn't worry about it?

That's a good theory, I have never thought about why, but then again most of my incubation has been using the dry method ( http://letsraisechickens.weebly.com...anuals-understanding-and-controlling-humidity ) . If my bator holds above 25% humidity w/no water I run dry, if not I add a sponge to try to keep it at 30-35%. I monitor my air cells closely as I am a candling addict and I spot check by candling every night. Personally I wouldn't worry about humidity as long as it stays above 25% and my air cells are progressing at the right rate.