Humidity Level Poll

[MGG]

I'll tag some members for you. @CluckNDoodle @WVduckchick @Pyxis @BirdsBeesTrees @Isaac 0
@Mvan42

 

[Isaac 0]

I go, 35-40%, and then 70% for lockdown.

 

[TheBajan]

I'll tag some members for you. @CluckNDoodle @WVduckchick @Pyxis @BirdsBeesTrees @Isaac 0

Thanks!

 

[WVduckchick]

It’s super humid where I live, so I incubate with zero water until internal pips. I don’t really pay attention to the “number” but I think it runs mostly around 25-30%

@TheBajan You might be interested in the Red link in my signature block below.

 

[TheBajan]

It’s super humid where I live, so I incubate with zero water until internal pips. I don’t really pay attention to the “number” but I think it runs mostly around 25-30%

@TheBajan You might be interested in the Red link in my signature block below.

Thanks! I'll take a look at it.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I'll tag some members for you. @CluckNDoodle @WVduckchick @Pyxis @BirdsBeesTrees @Isaac 0
@Mvan42

I base humidity on air cell growth or weight. Somewhere between 35-55% for the first 18 days, most commonly 45% so that's what I marked on the poll. 65% for hatch.

I do find that in my chicken room with incubators running side by side, in the same environment, that the type of incubator you're using will also make a difference. The humidity I stated above is mostly for my Nurture Right 360, the IncuView I tend to run on the higher end of humidity because I see more dry chicks and the exact opposite is true for the styrofoam incubators I have used. Farm Innovators, Little Giant, and Hovabator I ran approximately 10% lower on average.

 

[TheBajan]

I base humidity on air cell growth or weight. Somewhere between 35-55% for the first 18 days, most commonly 45% so that's what I marked on the poll. 65% for hatch.

I do find that in my chicken room with incubators running side by side, in the same environment, that the type of incubator you're using will also make a difference. The humidity I stated above is mostly for my Nurture Right 360, the IncuView I tend to run on the higher end of humidity because I see more dry chicks and the exact opposite is true for the styrofoam incubators I have used. Farm Innovators, Little Giant, and Hovabator I ran approximately 10% lower on average.

So, in my case, I am using a DIY styrofoam cabinet incubator. It's rather large with an interior dimensions of 16"x18"x31". Are you saying that you typically would run this at a lower humidity point?

 

[CluckNDoodle]

So, in my case, I am using a DIY styrofoam cabinet incubator. It's rather large with an interior dimensions of 16"x18"x31". Are you saying that you typically would run this at a lower humidity point?
View attachment 2150217

It would be hard to say without using something similar, but yes, in my experience incubation humidity has been noticeably different between plastic and styrofoam incubators. Styrofoam, in most cases, requires less water added to increase the humidity in general and I had better hatches when keeping humidity in the lower range.

Again, I always base my humidity adjustments on air cell growth or weight. This will be the best gauge for you when using any new incubator or when changing the environment that you use the incubator. That's why suggestions are all across the board. Even the elevation you live at will change your desired humidity level. At higher elevation the eggs will lose weight faster than at sea level.

These are examples of air cell growth on a Silkie hatch where I documented both weight and air cell development. Day 0, 7, 15, and 18. It was also a 100% hatch rate so it's a good example of what you want to see in developing air cells. Good luck on your hatch!

 

[CluckNDoodle]

These digital examples are a little easier to see, though I think they look a bit on the large side. The orange one is closer to accurate.

 

[TheBajan]

It would be hard to say without using something similar, but yes, in my experience incubation humidity has been noticeably different between plastic and styrofoam incubators. Styrofoam, in most cases, requires less water added to increase the humidity in general and I had better hatches when keeping humidity in the lower range.

Again, I always base my humidity adjustments on air cell growth or weight. This will be the best gauge for you when using any new incubator or when changing the environment that you use the incubator. That's why suggestions are all across the board. Even the elevation you live at will change your desired humidity level. At higher elevation the eggs will lose weight faster than at sea level.

These are examples of air cell growth on a Silkie hatch where I documented both weight and air cell development. Day 0, 7, 15, and 18. It was also a 100% hatch rate so it's a good example of what you want to see in developing air cells. Good luck on your hatch!

View attachment 2150246View attachment 2150248

This is really helpful. I didn't weigh the eggs before setting them and I'm on day nine now so I don't know think I can gage that. However, I did draw the air cells on them when I candled on day seven. Thanks so much for the info!