Humidity Question

[duvaroo]

Hi everyone,
we are currently trying to hatch 12 eggs in our kindergarten class. We originally added way to much water and the humidity was very high. We took the water out and let the wick on the wet bulb dry (or we thought we did). We then added only a tiny bit of water but the humidifier is still reading over 80%. Is it possible, or is the wet bulb totally off. We've ordered a new one, but it won't be here for a few days. We're hatching Silkies and Polish so some of our eggs are very small.
Thanks in advance!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Hi everyone,
we are currently trying to hatch 12 eggs in our kindergarten class. We originally added way to much water and the humidity was very high. We took the water out and let the wick on the wet bulb dry (or we thought we did). We then added only a tiny bit of water but the humidifier is still reading over 80%. Is it possible, or is the wet bulb totally off. We've ordered a new one, but it won't be here for a few days. We're hatching Silkies and Polish so some of our eggs are very small.
Thanks in advance!

What was your humidity reading before adding the water? Are you using a pre-calibrated hygrometer?

 

[duvaroo]

I assumed it was precalibrated as it had been used before and was reading normal when we put it in. It's almost like it got stuck when we got it too wet

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I assumed it was precalibrated as it had been used before and was reading normal when we put it in. It's almost like it got stuck when we got it too wet

What % was it reading before you added the water?

 

[duvaroo]

it's currently running at 80% and that's what it was when we put it in. Is it bad to have a low humidity because we're pretty sure that's what happening...the wet bulb appears to be broken. Can it wait until Friday for a new one, or are we going to traumatise 5 year olds with this hatch!?

 

[Dr Evy]

it's currently running at 80% and that's what it was when we put it in. Is it bad to have a low humidity because we're pretty sure that's what happening...the wet bulb appears to be broken. Can it wait until Friday for a new one, or are we going to traumatise 5 year olds with this hatch!?

It was at 80% before you even put it in the incubator?
What kind of incubator are you using?

 

[duvaroo]

It's a Lyon turn-x automatic incubator. We are total newbies at this!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

it's currently running at 80% and that's what it was when we put it in. Is it bad to have a low humidity because we're pretty sure that's what happening...the wet bulb appears to be broken. Can it wait until Friday for a new one, or are we going to traumatise 5 year olds with this hatch!?

I would just dry hatch and not add any water. That would be your safest bet until you have an accurate way to gauge the correct humidity. I would highly recommend picking up a cheap little cigar hygrometer off of Amazon, at your local hardware store like ace or even Walmart might have them. You can get them for $8-$15 depending on where you find them and they are analog so you can calibrate with some salt in a sandwhich bag and know that you are getting a correct reading .

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Welcome to BYC @duvaroo

How many days have the eggs been incubating? Humidity is measured over the entire incubation period so a few days of too high or too low can be altered if you have enough days left. It all depends on the size of your air cells. Air cell size chart below, numbers indicate size they should be about on those days.

I agree though with @HollowOfWisps and run dry until you get your new hygrometer.

Have you had a read of this ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-beginners-guide-to-incubation.73350/

 

[duvaroo]

we ordered one from amazon this morning. Should we take out the little bit of water that's in there or just leave it as is until Friday? We're nervous about opening the incubator.
Thank you all so much!