Humidity issues on day #1! UGH

[kimleonard95]

Hi,
The weather here in Chicago is crazy and this is my first time.

On Tuesday and Wednesday we did a 24 hour dry run with the incubator without the eggs. No problem....then it has rained ever since. Today we put 8 eggs in and have not gotten the humidity less than 80-85%, but the temp is reading perfect 99.5. We are using a Farm Inovator air circulated automatic egg turner. What can we do to lower the humidity without the temp losing too?? The science teacher and I are so nervous about our baby chicks.
Thanks

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Worry more at the beginning about the temp. If that's OK the humidity is not as critical. After your weather mellows the humidity will come down. Another option if it doesn't is to put a dehumidifier in the room.
Weigh the eggs with an accurate kitchen or gram scale. What you want during the first 18 days is to lose 14% weight. So that's about 1/2 a % per day. If the weight after the first week doesn't vary like that you need to adjust the humidity but don't fret it unless you can't get the proper weight loss by lockdown.
Lockdown is when you want to up the humidity. I'm in St. Louis and it's always humid here but the basement for some reason can be dry. I don't worry a lot about humidity unless the eggs are losing too much weight or not enough. Most of my eggs are of the thick/dark variety and seem to do better when drier than white or light eggs.

 

[bugkiller]

I had the same problem but I amusing a home made bator. It was perfect on my dry run and as soon as I put in the eggs it went crazy. After 2 days of adding water making more vent holes sealing up vent holes slowing my fan down making my fan faster I finally got it right. it is holding fine at 58% and 99.5

 

[kimleonard95]

Thank you...I also think the humidity thermometer and temp. therm. is a little off. I bought a wireless one today that seems to be giving more accurate temp. Ugh.... I am so nervous. funny huh?