Humidity level during lockdown

[jlashaw]

I candled and checked air cells at day 10 and they appeared to be the right size. I don't like to handle the eggs too much, so I haven't candled since then. I'm currently at day 20 and have increased the humidity to 67% for lockdown. Do you know of any other signs of too much humidity other than air cell size. Just wondering if it may delay the hatch, as I haven't seen any pipping out of this group yet.

Hi Coop77 I bump my humidity up to about 70% when they pip. Temperature delays the hatch. If you are only using the thermometer that came with your incubator, chances are the temp and humidity are off. My temp in my Little Giant is four degrees off. That's a huge impact on a hatch. I've had eggs take 25 days to hatch because they were slow growing due to low temps. If your humidity is too high, you will have condensation dripping like it's raining and your eggs will be wet.

 

[kuchchicks]

I candled and checked air cells at day 10 and they appeared to be the right size. I don't like to handle the eggs too much, so I haven't candled since then. I'm currently at day 20 and have increased the humidity to 67% for lockdown. Do you know of any other signs of too much humidity other than air cell size. Just wondering if it may delay the hatch, as I haven't seen any pipping out of this group yet.

You are only on day 20. I often don't see pipping until day 21. Don't be surprised if you don't either. Mine always seem to come all at once. If you wash your hands prior to handling you should be okay if you are worried about bacteria... remember the broody hen is not the cleanest of animals. If you are worried about dropping eggs, I get it. I candle sitting on a carpeted floor at night when all of the lights are out. I try to keep them close to the floor just in case I drop them and really make sure I have a good hold on them. I candle on days 7, 14, and 18 and have never had any issues.

I only recommend it if you live in a climate that's wet right now. I get away with it (I think) because the humidity in my house is usually between 35-40% right now. Good luck!!

I think the name "dry incubation" throws people. I don't believe in add NO water, so it is not completely "dry". I just add much less water than is recommended. I think most people who talk about a dry incubation are the same way. I do not add water unless my humidity is below 25% and then do not allow it to go above 40% (I aim for 25%-35%). During the winter here in Ohio our humidity is usually about 18% inside my house. So even during that time of year I run "dry"... only add a small amount of water to bring it up to my goal level. During the summer we are pretty humid. My humidity in the house is much higher. With that said I add almost no water if any until lockdown. Again, your humidity level really should only give you a base line. Your air cells are the real indicator if you have enough/too much humidity.

 

[jlashaw]

I've seen answers all over the place about what humidity should be during lockdown. I'm using a farm innovators still air incubator. I haven't played with the humidity this far (Day 10) because it's rather humid right now where I'm at (Western KY), so I've ran it completely dry so far. (45-50%). What should my humidity be? Do I adjust it on Day 17 so that I'm not fooling with it during lockdown? Help!  I read the eggtopsy thread and now I'm terrified I won't get it right. 

Hi I run my dry because it's also Hume in my house. You don't need to change anything until day 18. That's when you'll go into lockdown. Hatching can be stressful but don't worry you'll do fine. Do you have another set of thermometers and hygrometers so you can make sure your temperature and humidity are accurate? Is your bator a still air or circulated air with an egg turner? As long as your temps don't fluctuate, your eggs are being turned, and you give the chicks 65-70% humidity at hatch everything will be fine. Don't forget to candle before lockdown.

 

[Coop77]

Thanks for all of the advice, its all good stuff that I will take into consideration.