Humidity level in bator

[rooster0209]

I have a hova-bator w/auto turno & still air. the manual doesnt state the optimal humidity level. I have an accu-rite thermoter/hydrogemeter on top of the eggs.

The temp stays around 99-101
The humidity fluctuates between 40-53%

What is the optimal humidity level?

ps.
I will be candelling for the 1st time this evening. I will post results.

 

[MissPrissy]

What kind of eggs are you incubating?

For chickens your humidity is fine. It is best between 30-50% the first 18 days. Day 19 - hatch you should aim for 70%.

Good luck with your hatch.

 

[rooster0209]

I have 37 chicken eggs and 4 guinea eggs.

Thanks I will mark day 19 on the calendar to remind myself to up the humidity.

I am just worrying myself to death..I am a first time bator mom :|

 

[MissPrissy]

Just in case you don't know -

Chicken eggs take 21 days to hatch.

Guinea eggs take 28 days to hatch.

 

[rooster0209]

How do I manage that last week? I remove the turner 24hrs before the hatch date and get the humidity higher. Do i just leave the guinea eggs in there? will they be ok?

 

[SusanJoM]

From everything I've read here, that's what you need a second 'bator of some sort for, so you can remove the ones that need their humidity upped and that don't want to be turned anymore, and leave the others to continue incubating.

I'm going to use my skillet-bator for that purpose.

Susan

 

[MissPrissy]

You stop turning the chicken eggs on day 18 and up the humidity to 70%.

You stop turning the guinea eggs on day 25 and up the humidity to 70%.

You need a second bator or a hatcher to take the chicken eggs out of one on day 18 and put them into the other so you don't compromise the guinea eggs.

It is not a good idea to mix eggs when the hatch dates are spread apart.

You have time to build a homemade bator and get it regulated before your hatches are due.