Humidity question

[Somshine]

Does anybody know how long I can run it dry, up until the last minute, when I absolutely have to increase humidity for hatch? Is it and absolute day 18 or can I push it?

 

[Somshine]

I can’t get my humidity right in my little Amazon bubble incubator, it is either 15 or 85, I’ve intentionally hatched at both, had 100 percent hatch rates (4 eggs each!) at both (quail). I dump some water in every couple days so the average is about 45 percent but don’t worry about it that much except at lockdown. Temp and turning are vital, humidity is important but secondary. You won’t tank your hatch. I get 90 percent hatch rates with stable temp and schizophrenic humidity, but a broken turner, cold exposure or rough shipping cuts that in half. Do your best but don’t stress!

Yeah but this one I had a problem with high humidity because I finally figured out my incubator wasn't sitting level and I was filling the second chamber some when I'd fill the water tank. The air cells need to be bigger. I'm wondering if running it dry till day 20 even could mitigate that.

 

[McChooky]

Yeah I've done a couple dry hatches. I didn't think I got as good of a hatch rate. Wasn't a whole lot different though. But I've never had an issue with the humidity being high and hard to control. I'm so mad it took me this long to figure it out. I don't even know if the 3 days until lockdown will be enough to increase the air cells. I'm wondering if I can wait to boost it until like day 19 or 20? I don't know I've never had to counteract this on basically the last week before.

Once the chicks start to hatch the humidity is going to rise anyway.
Its the average you have to worry about now-not the actual humidity

 

[McChooky]

Does anybody know how long I can run it dry, up until the last minute, when I absolutely have to increase humidity for hatch? Is it and absolute day 18 or can I push it?

I pulled out an egg and candled it to see what the air sac looked like but after seeing it was where it should be I didn't add any water. The humidity in my incubator hovered around 20% the first week and in the 30's the 2nd.It was in the upper 60% after they started to hatch

 

[Ridgerunner]

Does anybody know how long I can run it dry, up until the last minute, when I absolutely have to increase humidity for hatch? Is it and absolute day 18 or can I push it?

Excellent question, excellent. You want the humidity up when the first egg external pips. Once the egg cracks more moisture can escape so the risk of shrink-wrap increases. Such a simple answer, yet how does that translate to real life?

It is not that unusual for some eggs to pip and hatch a couple of days early or late. Lots of different reasons for that, including but not only average incubating temperature. So we go into lockdown after day 18 to have the humidity up just in case they do pip earlier than expected.

You have a history with that incubator. Do you consistently get hatches early, on time, ort late? Are you confident enough in that timing to adjust your lockdown date?

 

[Somshine]

Excellent question, excellent. You want the humidity up when the first egg external pips. Once the egg cracks more moisture can escape so the risk of shrink-wrap increases. Such a simple answer, yet how does that translate to real life?

It is not that unusual for some eggs to pip and hatch a couple of days early or late. Lots of different reasons for that, including but not only average incubating temperature. So we go into lockdown after day 18 to have the humidity up just in case they do pip earlier than expected.

You have a history with that incubator. Do you consistently get hatches early, on time, ort late? Are you confident enough in that timing to adjust your lockdown date?

Almost like clockwork. Usually they start early morning and there are a few pipped when I get up. But I set this one to where it wouldn't start until closer to lunch time. Maybe I'll leave it and put a little water in there the night before?

 

[Somshine]

I pulled out an egg and candled it to see what the air sac looked like but after seeing it was where it should be I didn't add any water. The humidity in my incubator hovered around 20% the first week and in the 30's the 2nd.It was in the upper 60% after they started to hatch

Yeah I really feel like not adding any water until I absolutely have to is the way to go.

 

[Tex452]

Yeah I really feel like not adding any water until I absolutely have to is the way to go.

I don’t never add any, I have great hatches and lively chicks.
I wouldn’t even attempt to change by adding water when the dry hatch method works so good, plus clean up is a lot easier without any bad smells whatsoever.

 

[PaigeWells]

I’d also prepare for helping the hatch (if you choose to do that) and read everything you can now, when you aren’t panicked. I read about someone who helps with using a small drill bit (not on a drill) to very carefully scratch an air hole, (inside the air sac)-I never have but it was interesting and might be useful if you have troubles. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[Tex452]

I’d also prepare for helping the hatch (if you choose to do that) and read everything you can now, when you aren’t panicked. I read about someone who helps with using a small drill bit (not on a drill) to very carefully scratch an air hole, (inside the air sac)-I never have but it was interesting and might be useful if you have troubles. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

I have helped with hatching before, the main thing is to make sure the yolk sack has been absorbed.
I give them at least 24 hours before I try to help.
I know you’re talking about putting a hole in to make sure the chick doesn’t drown?