Humidity Question

[FarmerJessie]

Hello,

I have a Hovabator Genesis and have a humidity question. The directions say to have the humidity level at 55-65% for hatching. I have done some extensive research on the Internet and I have read recommended levels as high as 70-80% humidity. What do all of you suggest? Stick with the model specific instructions or set the humidity higher? I have several pipping chicks right now and seem to be doing fine so far though this is a new
development on the evening of Day 21. The humidity level is currently 63%.

Thank you!
Jessie

 

[bugkiller]

I am curious about this my self cause I am putting eggs in my incubator next week and I can either get it up to 75 or under 25 so I am hopping 75 is good.

 

[Bill 101]

This is actually pretty hard to answer. What works for one doesn't work for everyone. If your chicks are hatching at 63% then it's fine, if not & they seem to be struggling, up the humidity.

In my opinion 75% humidity during incubation is way to high. I'd start with 40% & then watch the growth of the air celll & adjust from there. They have an example of air cell growth & what it should be at different stages on this site (don't know where) , but I'd use that to determine what humidity I should be using

 

[FarmerJessie]

Thank you, Bill! The chicks began pipping at around 6pm last night. The first chick emerged this morning at 8:30am. It is doing very well, drying nicely, and terrorizing the other eggs! I have read this is okay as it stimulates the other chicks. None of the other chicks seem to be close to hatching yet. They have made their holes a little larger, but when I woke up this morning, this guy had its egg almost completely unzipped. Think they're just taking their time? The humidity is now 65% since the first chick hatched. I have heard this process can take up to 24 hours. Can it sometimes even go over 24 hours?

 

[Bill 101]

The chick that hatched will not hurt the others by knocking into them. It can take 24 hours for chicks to hatch. How many eggs do you have that have piped? how many total?
It's just a cautionary note here, but if you don't see more hatching by this afternoon, I'd raise the humidity a bit more, maybe 80%.

 

[FarmerJessie]

Hello Bill,

Since I last posted, two other chicks have hatched and are doing well. After reading your post, I went to count the number of pipped eggs again and there was a third chick who just hatched! It looks like there are four more chicks working themselves free. They REALLY picked up the pace after the first chick emerged. All of the chicks appear to be very strong and doing well. There are a total of 13 eggs in the incubator. It is getting a little hard to keep track of the pipped eggs because they are getting rolled around so much. The chicks seem to still be pipping because I believe there were only 4 pipped eggs when I got up this morning and now there are three chicks and at least 4 pipped eggs. I am so thankful to see them doing so well!

 

[Bill 101]

Sound like everything is JUST right. If you think it's a bit confusing now, just wait until 10 or so are hatched. You will have empty shells & chicks all over, but it sure fun to watch.

 

[FarmerJessie]

Bill,

This has been a wonderful experience and I feel blessed to have had such luck! Currently there are five hatched chicks and two more getting close. I will be very pleased with 7 out of 13 if that is where it stops. I can definitely see where hatching eggs could get very addictive! I am ready to purchase a fan for my still air incubator that I have been trying to sell!

 

[Bill 101]

I have hatched 1000s of chicks over a period of 30 years & never get tired of watching them hatch.

You have done very well & should be proud of yourself - Hope you enjoy many more years of hatching.

Because you've gotten 5 so far, it wouldn't surprise me if you got a whole lot more.

 

[FarmerJessie]

Thank you, Bill! I was really worried if they would hatch at all, but I have been very diligent at making sure the humidity level was where it should be throughout the 21 days. This new incubator makes things a lot easier as it has a fan and digital thermostat and humidity monitor. I am very pleased with it.

It looks like my grand total tonight is going to be seven little ones. I don't see any pip holes in any of the other eggs from what I can see looking through the top of the incubator. I think I am going to take the chicks out in the morning. The chicks from this morning are fluffed up, but the last bird just hatched a few minutes ago. Do you think there is much chance any of the other eggs might turn out? The directions say to go ahead and leave the eggs in for 2 days past the due date so I am going to leave it set up until Saturday. All of the chicks are very happy and healthy! I think I'm hooked! Ha Ha Ha!