Humidity or dry method: Which do you prefer?

[blzzrdqueen]

So I am doing a lot of research and right now am looking at whether to use the water pans or go the dry incubation method. Since this will be my first hatch, I have nothing to go by. So I'm doing a little poll: Water pans or dry incubation, and why?

I will be setting eggs either Monday night or Tuesday morning. The bator will be in my dining room where the temp is consistently 72 degrees. I am in upstate New York, and spring is right around the corner for he humidity levels outside are starting to rise a bit. I am not sure of the bator type yet as I am getting a loaner from the co-op on Monday morning. It'll hold 3 dozen eggs, but I am only setting one dozen, various breeds of chicken eggs. I am leaning towards the dry method.

 

[sumi]

I have heard from experienced hatchers that they had much better hatches using the dry incubation method. I have not tried it myself yet, so I cannot give you my personal opinion, but here is an excellent article on the topic that you can look at:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-incubate-hatch-eggs-using-the-dry-incubation-method

And while I'm at it, another incubation article that is very informative that I think you will find helpful:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

Good luck with your hatch!

 

[tec27]

i do everything dry until lockdown and then i crank the humidity up to 70%

 

[eggcited2]

i do everything dry until lockdown and then i crank the humidity up to 70%

What does "lockdown" mean?

 

[tec27]

What does "lockdown" mean?

its when you stop turning the eggs and raise the humidity to 60-80% to get ready for the eggs to hatch. Lockdown starts on day 18.

 

[blzzrdqueen]

i do everything dry until lockdown and then i crank the humidity up to 70%

Do you keep track of humidity during lock down?

 

[sumi]

Yes, absolutely. Here's a great article on incubation that I think you will enjoy:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

 

[grannychicken54]

So I am doing a lot of research and right now am looking at whether to use the water pans or go the dry incubation method. Since this will be my first hatch, I have nothing to go by. So I'm doing a little poll: Water pans or dry incubation, and why?

I will be setting eggs either Monday night or Tuesday morning. The bator will be in my dining room where the temp is consistently 72 degrees. I am in upstate New York, and spring is right around the corner for he humidity levels outside are starting to rise a bit. I am not sure of the bator type yet as I am getting a loaner from the co-op on Monday morning. It'll hold 3 dozen eggs, but I am only setting one dozen, various breeds of chicken eggs. I am leaning towards the dry method.

I am trying the dry incubation this time so far it is looking better 12 out of 16 made it to lockdown this time and that was using shipped eggs I went by the article that was refered to hoping for a good hatch

 

[blzzrdqueen]

Yes, absolutely. Here's a great article on incubation that I think you will enjoy:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

I find myself constantly referring back to this article, over and over again. I am using the air cell to keep track of how much humidity I need. With no water in my still-air bator, I have 30% humidity. I'm think that should be fine. Today is a rainy day though and that humidity level could change...

 

[tec27]

Do you keep track of humidity during lock down?

yes. between 60-80%. i like 75%. seems perfect for my incubator.