Humidity keeps dropping!!!

[scrapmom5]

I have been unsuccesful keeping the humidity at 60%. I can get it to 50% and then overnight it will drop to 30%. There is always water in the well at the bottom of the LG. To get the humidity up I just poor water on the bottom and then mop up what comes out of the holes.

Will my birds be OK?

Am I doing anything wrong?

 

[shelleyd2008]

Are your eggs due to hatch soon? 60% is awfully high, unless they are hatching in the next few days.

Do you have the vent plugs open on the bator? You can try putting a wet paper towel in it, that will keep it up. Stick one end of the towel in the water, so it will work like a wick.

If you are between days 1-18 for chickens. your humidity should be no higher than 50%. A lot of people use the dry incubation method, with humidity more around 30% days 1-18, then up for days 18-21

 

[scrapmom5]

I am so glad that you said that. The things I have read said to keep it at 60% I can easily keep it at 30. We are on day 4. Should I drop the humidity or leave it alone? I am really new to this and would love to have success. My temp is exactly at 99. That was the easy party. What should I do at day 18. Does it need to go up?

 

[Guitartists]

It does need to go up to around 60% on day 18... but also humidity will rise some when they begin to hatch because of the added moisture from the eggs. Temp stays the same

Also, just a note.... water surface area is what determines humidity. Maybe pouring it on the bottom it is evaporating too quickly to stick around... try a clean sponge, pad or clean rag or sock..... will increase surface area but hopefully keep it more regulated for you.

 

[swtangel321]

Is it a still air bator ????


Day 1-18 hum should be 30%-40% so 35% would be good !!!!!

On day 18 you want to up the hum to 65%. You can add some wet sponges or paper towels if needed !!!!!

Read this and see if it helps at all https://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-DryIncubation.html

 

[scrapmom5]

Have I already harmed my little eggs if the humidity was up at 50%? I have already brought it back down a bit. At least the temp is easy to regulate I wish I could say that about the humidity.

It is a still air bator.

 

[scrapmom5]

That link did help and hurt. All I have read said to keep the temp at 99.5 which we did. This link said to keep the still air bator at 101. Should I increase it or leave it alone?

Ahhh...will my chicks survive me???

 

[swtangel321]

They should be fine !!!!! Just keep the hum down till day 18, if you could get the temp up a little that would be ok, but only up it if your sure you can do it without cooking them.... Also.... Are you turning the eggs by hand ??

 

[shelleyd2008]

Keeping the temps at 101 in my still air bator would make the eggs hatch at least 2 days early. Just keep the temp where it is since you have it steady already. They might hatch a bit late, but that's ok.

I don't think the high humidity for a few days will hurt them.

 

[scrapmom5]

We don't turn the eggs by hand/ they are in a egg turner.

As for the temp I have found that if you are really careful you can feel a click when you adjust the temp. Each click raises it by a degree or two. My dh husband noticed it when we were setting it up. At first I couldn't feel it but now I can. Apparently his rough calloused worn hands are very sensitive to slight vibrations. LOL. So far I have really liked by LG. Let's hope it proves to be a good bator (with a good bator keeper).