There has been a lot posted on Humidity. I understand the standard should be 50-55% for setting, 70% for lock down. I have also read quite a bit regarding "dry" incubation, and while I understand the theory, it seems more about controlling the ambient RH outside the incubator, and then not adding water (or adding very small amounts) to the incubator. So you are still controlling humidity, just in a different way. I've heard the hatch rates with so called dry incubation and would love to try it but there is a problem. Here is my situation, I am incubating in my basement, in the dead of winter. I bought an expensive Thermo Fisher Temp/RH unit to measure the ambient air. While a basement is usually the best place to incubate due to the very steady temperatures it is cold with low humidity in the winter, and cool with higher humidity in the summer. The temperature is rock steady, between 49-50 degrees all the time which has been great for my HB 1583 (temps extremely steady 99.5-100 F), but the ambient RH is only at 40%. While 40% for 75-80 degree air temps would be fine for dry incubation, my Hygrometer in the incubator without water in the tray is reading very low 20-25%. I guess this makes sense as 40% RH at 50 deg would be significantly less RH at 100 deg. With the middle tray full I am reading 40% RH, is this enough? I am going to assume it is, but am concerned during lockdown if I am going to get enough humidity with both trays due to the low outside RH.
You and I must have been posting at the same time. I have the issue also with the humidity. Temps are like you said exactly where u want them, humidity all over the place. My house is extrmely dry with all the snow we,ve had and none of it has melted. I have mine in a bedroom where our bathroom is adjacent to so it puts some moisture in the room but with only 2 of us here and taking back to bak showers its only working in the morning. I just keep adding water till someone can suggest something better.
I was just about to post a question on this. I'm on day 20 - Home made bator - in basement. Humidity has been 40-45% the entire time - I go into lock down & the humidity drops to 30-35% What the heck? I have more water in there etc. In any case - I added an egg carton full of water & a mason jar too - with a wash cloth hanging out. I'm not sure what else to do here - why would it drop now? I still have a little floor space if I need to add another jar or two - but come on. I hate to open it now.
Quote:Are u sure your hydrometer didn't take a dump I did the same thing last year and about drowned my babies. My batteries were dying.
talk about eggs in a basket, sounds like we're all in the same predicament. I am on day 19, and while my humidity didn't go down, it really didn't want to go up much. I was steady at 35-40% during 1-18....added sponges.....and humidity only went up to about 50%......added a warm wet towel, and it rocketed to 75%!! I have the bator in a bathroom so I can crank on the hot shower if I need to open it up, but I really don't want to do that too often. Stupid MN winter .......WHY DO I STILL LIVE HERE!!!!!
Same issue. Can't get it to hold anywhere close to steady, rockign between 30 and 60% as our wierd NW weather goes up and down. Goign to add spones tonight. Has anyone ever tried those humidity pillows they sell on EBAY?
