Humidity too high in incubator?

[biosci]

My humidity I think may be too high... Just got my hygrometer in and it's at about 70%. Eggs have been in there for 2 days now. I'm worried as I don't want to disturb the eggs and move a lot of stuff around/them. (Terrified I may drop one in the process or somehow screw up development.)

Any ideas appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[galanie]

Yes, 70% is too high but check it before you change anything.

You check one by putting it in a big zip lock bag with a small container of non-iodized salt to which you've added just enough water to make it like wet sand. Read it after 8 hours. You can let it sit longer, doesn't change a thing. It should say 75%. If not, just add or subtract the difference to your readings. In other words, if it says 60, then it's 15 degrees off and later when it says, say, 45, you know the humidity is really 60%. Or if it reads 90, subtract 15 so later when it says 70, you'll know it's really 55%.

Since it's so early, your eggs should be fine for another 8 hours. But you can lower it a bit also if you wish. Most go for 45-55%. I've had good luck with around 50%.

 

[biosci]

I'm going to sop up some of that water that's in there. Hopefully, I'll be able to lower it some. I should be in the 60% range right? Still haven't read enough to know if lower is better than higher etc.

 

[galanie]

Lower is better than higher but if the hygrometer is way off and you haven't checked it then you're basically shooting in the dark. I paid $30 for mine and it is 15 degrees off. I didnt' expect it to be exact but I was very surprised it was that far off.

 

[biosci]

Hmmm.. maybe I'll just have to try your trick and bring it home for the night. My incubator with eggs is not at home so if I check it tonight, I can't make any adjustments until tomorrow!! Still time? I got the hygrometer brand new. It's a Hygroset II Digital Hygrometer. The only salt I have at home is table salt and sea salt for my salt water reef aquariums.

 

[latebloomer]

table salt is what you want

and i second callibrating your hygrometer, i did three at once and not one was spot on. it's worth the time.

there are many opinions on humidity from setting to lockdown but i'd say forties or fifties is where most people would suggest you be.

at lockdown, +/-70% will be fine.

 

[biosci]

Okay, I reduced the humidity over the weekend. These were days 3 and 4. However, it dropped down to 30% this morning so I quickly added water to bring it back up to 60%. Oh man this incubator has me worried! (Hova Bator 1583) So for the first two days, it was high, then over the weekend, it was too low. But I think I have it stable now. Am I in trouble?!

Thanks everyone!

Mike

 

[garypainter]

The humidity in one of my incubators is at 95 and i didnt do anything different with this one than i did with the other 3 what do you all think i should do to get it down.

 

[Leaguinea]

The humidity in one of my incubators is at 95 and i didnt do anything different with this one than i did with the other 3 what do you all think i should do to get it down.

Is this during incubation or lockdown?