I can't get my humidity up!!! Please help me!!!!

[mags2009]

Hi I am using the Octogon 40 dx incubator (Brinsea) My temp has remained great. Stable. But the humidity has been a problem. I can't quite get it to 40% and my instructions say 40-50% until day 18. My humidity stays right around 35-38%. This is a friends incubator, and it came with some evaporation pads to help with humidity, but they used them up with their last hatch. I don't think the pads are a "must" because they don't come with other incubators of the same brand. I don't know. There is a vent, which you can open or close more, but it says not to close to 1/3, as they won't get enough air exchange. Any suggestions? or is 35-38% ok? Thank you.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

35-38% is okay for now. The important humidity is the last 3 days. As far as the pads go, you could use other things for that.

 

[FoxhallFarm]

Hi there, I'm incubating goose eggs at the moment which require a higher temp than chickens and I have been using a childs nappy (diaper) soaked until the gel in it absorbs a good deal of water and then placed in the incubator. It's seems to be working well as the gel holds the water for a long time. I sometimes use a piece of good quality kitchen towel soaked in water in the incubator with chicken eggs to raise the humidity.

 

[goldnchocolate]

You are better off with the lower humidity for the first 18 days. I kept mine around 25% and had good hatches both times. Have you read about the 'dry incubation' method? Here are a couple of links explaining it:

http://www.courtneypoultry.co.uk/id17.html

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

Good luck with your hatch!

 

[mags2009]

Thank you... I won't worry too much then until the end... when I really do have to get it up there! I am going to buy some of the evap. pads since I have time... THanks again everyone!

 

[ChickenChik]

I put in a maxipad soaked in wâter to maintain humidity (silly I know) but it works wonders. Tip: I got the old school style i.e. The HUGE ones!! Hehe! Try it works great. It will release water when the bator needs more humidity!!