Hi, we are on day 11 of incubation. I have 12 eggs in the incubator, all have great development. However my humidity levels have been very high. I just read today that it can make hatching very hard to do for the baby chicks. I removed the red plug to lower the humidity but have I already caused damage? It has been around 75% for a good amount of time. We candled the eggs a couple nights ago and were very excited to see how many were good! If I lower it now will they be ok? Nervous new chicken mama here!
Humidity levels
- Thread starter Amyjo72
- Start date
Yeah, for most eggs, 75 is way too high for the beginning of incubation.
Humidity in incubation is different than temperature which needs to be consistent throughout or with brief intermittent cooling. Humidity can vary greatly during incubation as long as total weight loss for the duration is appropriate. (14/15% <>)
How are you determining weight loss? Is it by candling or by weight?
If the air cells are still too small, I'd make sure the humidity got as low as possible, perhaps 30% or less until day 19 or so. Judge again when candling in another 4 or 5 days.
The plug probably should have been out by now anyway for oxygen's sake.
Humidity in incubation is different than temperature which needs to be consistent throughout or with brief intermittent cooling. Humidity can vary greatly during incubation as long as total weight loss for the duration is appropriate. (14/15% <>)
How are you determining weight loss? Is it by candling or by weight?
If the air cells are still too small, I'd make sure the humidity got as low as possible, perhaps 30% or less until day 19 or so. Judge again when candling in another 4 or 5 days.
The plug probably should have been out by now anyway for oxygen's sake.
Hi there, welcome to BYC! 
What color and kind of eggs are you incubating?
Too high of humidity can cause the air cell to be too small allowing the chick to grow too large and have problems turning into position to pip... possibly drowning.
Drop it WAY down, now... get rid of all your water and see where your humidity stands. What bator are you using and where has your temp been?
Is there condensation on your lid when the reading is 75%? Are you using a calibrated thermometer/hygrometer?
What color and kind of eggs are you incubating?
Too high of humidity can cause the air cell to be too small allowing the chick to grow too large and have problems turning into position to pip... possibly drowning.
Drop it WAY down, now... get rid of all your water and see where your humidity stands. What bator are you using and where has your temp been?
Is there condensation on your lid when the reading is 75%? Are you using a calibrated thermometer/hygrometer?
- Thread starter
- #4
Thank you. Now I’m more nervous.
We are so excited to see so much development and have all of them turn out. I will lower humidity for sure today and look for something to compare the air cells to as far as size. I can almost feel my heart breaking right now.
We are so excited to see so much development and have all of them turn out. I will lower humidity for sure today and look for something to compare the air cells to as far as size. I can almost feel my heart breaking right now.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #5
Hi there, welcome to BYC!
What color and kind of eggs are you incubating?
Too high of humidity can cause the air cell to be too small allowing the chick to grow too large and have problems turning into position to pip... possibly drowning.
Drop it WAY down, now... get rid of all your water and see where your humidity stands. What bator are you using and where has your temp been?
Is there condensation on your lid when the reading is 75%? Are you using a calibrated thermometer/hygrometer?
- Thread starter
- #6
Please, relax a little!
Temperature is SOOO much more important than humidity. Where are ya running?
Life finds a way!! I do think if you lower it now... you should still be pretty good.
- Thread starter
- #8
Please, relax a little!
Temperature is SOOO much more important than humidity. Where are ya running?
Life finds a way!! I do think if you lower it now... you should still be pretty good.
Please, relax a little!
Temperature is SOOO much more important than humidity. Where are ya running?
Life finds a way!! I do think if you lower it now... you should still be pretty good.
The temp has ran 99-99.5 consistently. We’ve faithfully turned 3x a day. Water is out other than a little moisture and it’s reading 45%. Plug is out.
- Thread starter
- #9
Not sure how to get it lower
That's good. What type (color) of eggs?
If you are able to turn more times... always ending on odd *if* possible... it can increase hatch rate some... maximum turning possible... NO worry about temp drop during the turning.
Let it continue to run and dry out, it may still drop a bit more on it's own. How is your personal ambient humidity at your location? Adding your general location can help others make the best possible suggestions at a glance.
Where did you get your eggs? Were they shipped?
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