Humidity won't go below 80% -- what to do

[shellyga]

First - I have a Hovabator with the wells to fill with water.. all of full.. all vents are open

I'm having trouble getting the humidity down. Temperature has always been good and stable. I did NOT have a hygrometer with the first group (8 of 11 eggs hatched) but got one for this second lock down.. it wants to stay at 80%.. I took out the sponges I had in there.. put paper towels on the floor in about 1/2 of the incubator and still not going down.. I can't get to the water wells without taking all of the eggs out which will drop their temperature. I am not sure what to do. I have about decided to just stop worrying. Mine are day 21 tomorrow so we will see.

Any advice? oohh and yes.. I calibrated the hygrometer before putting it in.

Shelly

 

[HEChicken]

I am no expert (will be starting my first batch in the near future) but read a 31 page thread yesterday that was mostly about humidity. What I gleaned from the discussion is that high humidity matters more in the beginning than the end. I.e. if humidity is too high in the first 18 days the chicks run the risk of drowning when they pip. But by the time you are in lockdown high humidity is okay.

 

[IdealisticRoo]

Aquarium tubing through the vent holes can be used to add water to the wells without opening the lid. If the humidity is too high, you could always suck out the water through the tubing.

I only use warm water and food color added makes the levels easy to see!

The Aquarium tubing and the food color are not my ideas, I heard about this brilliance from Daisychick when I bought my Hovabator from her! Thank you!

 

[debilorrah]

Open all your vents. Remove some water.

 

[shellyga]

the thoughts of sucking out that nasty water is about ..how should I say it.. EWWWWW

But if that is what I have to do.. tis what I have to do. How many wells do you keep filled .. I almost think I was better off when I didn't know they humidity.. my hatched chicks probably know how to swim since I did everything wrong.. Nature covers for human mistakes it seems.

any other ideas... now where did I store those aquarium supplies.

Shelly

 

[IdealisticRoo]

Quote:
I agree, but I would walk on barefoot on broken glass if it would help my hatchlings survive, so if sucking nasty water is what I have to do... I have siphoned gas and drank out of a soda bottle that was being used as an ashtray, NOT BY CHOICE, I thought it was MY Pepsi! I won't do THAT again!

 

[HEChicken]

Quote:
On the same thread I mentioned earlier, there was also a description of aquarium tubing with a syringe attached that they used for sucking out the water. You should be able to get a syringe at a pharmacy or pet/feed store that sells meds. I guess there is a gauge of syringe that fits perfectly in aquarium tubing (I've yet to shop for this item but plan to get set up after the holidays).

 

[IdealisticRoo]

Ah, MUCH better idea! I have some big syringes left over from my sister's horse days!

I love this forum!

Thanks HEChicken!

 

[HEChicken]

Here is a link to the thread (decided it would be better to give you the link than just keep talking about it!) It is a long read but I found it very worthwhile - I learned a lot.

ETA the link:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=113681

 

[shellyga]

I am about to head to Tractor Supply for some other items..will look for syringe.. if not.. I think Scope kills germs! These are auction eggs -- which in the scheme of things are not any more valuable than my own Buff Orpingtons.. but since I did pay for them (in something other than chicken feed and bugs) I want them to have the best chance possible.

I have tried Sushi.. can't be any worse than that can it?

Shelly