Humidity question.

[theredroosta]

Whats the point of the humidity the first 19-20 or so days of incubation? I only see a reason for it at hatch time when the chicks are hatching to prevent shrink wrap. Because out of curiosity I decided not to fill the wells what-so-ever and I am currently in the middle of my most successful hatch I've ever had. Any help is appreciated.

 

[gumbii]

dry incubation...? read about it... let me find link...


https://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-DryIncubation.html

 

[debilorrah]

Incubating is climate specific. For example, I live in the desert and we have basically 8% relative humidity, and with the heater on, it is 0% in the bator. The yolk would stick with 0%, so I add water to bring it to about 20-30%, 40-55% for hatching. It all depends on your climate.

 

[Davaroo]

That link should be required reading before anyone touches an incubator.
I still have it in my files from years back.

 

[rickerra]

Quote:
The egg is porous. It will either absorb humidity from the air around it (moist air) or release it's own internal moisture as humidity into the air around it (dryer air). This affects the air sac inside the developing egg. This is why humidity levels do play a role even before the egg is pipped.

The above link is worth reading.

Just because you didn't add any water in your bator doesn't mean you had no humidity. The humidity of the room where your incubator is running as it's drawn into the bator through the vents would give you some humidity in there. You just didn't need to supplement that base RH%.

Good luck with your remaining hatch!

Cheers!

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Quote:
Why only 40-55% for hatching when I've read 65% is optimal? I have a hygrometer in my Eco 20...


I keep getting conflicting info...

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Why only 40-55% for hatching when I've read 65% is optimal? I have a hygrometer in my Eco 20...


I keep getting conflicting info...

You gotta quit all that reading.

65% is optimal in the lab. Think of a hen - she knows nothing of that. She has to work with what she has.

Go here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-DryIncubation.html

Follow what it says.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Why only 40-55% for hatching when I've read 65% is optimal? I have a hygrometer in my Eco 20...


I keep getting conflicting info...

Because I live in an extremely dry climate and to shoot for more is suicide. I would LOVE to be able to reach 65%!!!!! I had a really bad hatch with ducks recently because of humidity here. I can hatch chicks no problem, but ducks cannot be hatched in my climate. Not possible.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Why only 40-55% for hatching when I've read 65% is optimal? I have a hygrometer in my Eco 20...


I keep getting conflicting info...

Because I live in an extremely dry climate and to shoot for more is suicide. I would LOVE to be able to reach 65%!!!!! I had a really bad hatch with ducks recently because of humidity here. I can hatch chicks no problem, but ducks cannot be hatched in my climate. Not possible.

Ive always gone for 40%-50% with good results.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Because I live in an extremely dry climate and to shoot for more is suicide. I would LOVE to be able to reach 65%!!!!! I had a really bad hatch with ducks recently because of humidity here. I can hatch chicks no problem, but ducks cannot be hatched in my climate. Not possible.

Ive always gone for 40%-50% with good results.

I struggle for that and have good hatches too!