Incubator humidity and size

[Marymair]

I've got a question. Does only partly filling an incubator compromise it's ability to hold humidity? I've got a 56 egg HHD and we only got two chicks out of 12. It was impossible to raise humidity above 30% the whole time. I don't want to hatch 56 eggs, we have limited space. Is there something I can add to the incubator to hold humidity that isn't eggs? (also would rather not risk explosions by adding infertile eggs, or waste 44 eggs we could eat).

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Humidity is created by the amount of surface area of water.
The more surface area the higher the humidity should be.

I try to shoot for 35% humidity during incubation then 65% at lockdown for hatching.

Are you getting a correct reading for humidity & temp?

 

[Marymair]

Well that was something I wondered. It's a second hand incubator but I'm pretty sure the guy who sold it to me wouldn't admit it was less than perfect. So the capacity bears no relation to how full it should be filled?

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

No, no matter how many eggs you have in there should bear no relevance on the humidity.

It’s the surface area of water that creates humidity.

Personally I would get a separate hygrometer & thermometer to double check.

Here are a couple of good reads ~
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-beginners-guide-to-incubation.73350/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/incubation-humidity.73386/

 

[dannygirl1]

I don’t add any water until lockdown, then I raise the humidity to %75 and above. Always have high percentage hatches

 

[Marymair]

Well thankyou, that's very reassuring! I was on the verge of selling it and buying a new one. I don't think there's anything wrong with the temp but I'll get a new hygrometer. Thanks.