INCUBATOR HUMIDITY FLUCTUATIONS

[Fairview01]

I am having a hard time keeping the humidity inside my BROWER circular incubator 2005 model. It raises to 55% then drops to 30% pretty quick...I cannot keep adding hot water to it, I have stuff to do! I have been in the house for days watching the humidity and I am pretty sure I have developed anxiety because of it..... and yes...the plugs are in . . .

Also looking for suggestions for a TOP NOTCH incubator with accurate hygrometer and thermometer - something that is plug in and play, has easily accessible trays from the outside to add water, and is totally clear so I can see almost all the eggs inside it. Must rotate the eggs automatically. I think this BROWER machine needs a trip to the dump.

I would be more concerned how the air cell is progressing rather than following the recommendations of a book, what others say it should be or what an inherently inaccurate, uncalibrated cheap humidity meter reflects. If your air cell progression follows the pic on days 7 and 14 you will be spot on for hatching. Technology robs us of our ability to observe and use our common sense.

...tho no incubator is fully 'plug n play'.

A broody hen is plug and play.

 

[shaneensmith]

No incubators are plug andplay....but the one i have is not holding temp or humidity...its a fight constantly.

 

[Fairview01]

No incubators are plug andplay....but the one i have is not holding temp or humidity...its a fight constantly.

This is about as close as I've gotten to.a plug and play incubator. The Leahy redwoods. Found on craigslist. GQF cabinets don't even come close to the old school Leahys.

 

[aart]

A broody hen is plug and play.

Maybe for temp and humidity...but there are other PITA aspects to a broody.

 

[Fairview01]

Maybe for temp and humidity...but there are other PITA aspects to a broody.

I wouldn't trade my Leahy redwoods for the best broody hens in the universe.

 

[tjb]

Foam won't help humidity...something else at play there.

I'm going to jump in and steal an answer, I hope... is there a "too high" humidity for lock down? I have 35 eggs in and I either have 45ish% or 70+% -- I can't seem to get an inbetween level...

 

[BlazingColours]

I'm going to jump in and steal an answer, I hope... is there a "too high" humidity for lock down? I have 35 eggs in and I either have 45ish% or 70+% -- I can't seem to get an inbetween level...

Good question.. Also wonder what you all think is too high for final 3 days. Before they start hatching and it spikes from wet chicks.

 

[Fairview01]

I'm going to jump in and steal an answer, I hope... is there a "too high" humidity for lock down? I have 35 eggs in and I either have 45ish% or 70+% -- I can't seem to get an inbetween level...

Good question.. Also wonder what you all think is too high for final 3 days. Before they start hatching and it spikes from wet chicks.

It can never be high enough for my satisfaction. If you've had the correct humidity and air cell progression high humidity several days prior to hatching and during hatching will not have an adverse effect. In fact high humidity actually can soften the shell and make hatching easier.

 

[cmom]

I have an older GQF cabinet that I have had for years. I did change the old wood door for a poly door and took out the wafer thermostat and put in an electronic one. I also bought a water bucket for it. It holds the temperature and humidity perfect.

 

[cmom]

It can never be high enough for my satisfaction. If you've had the correct humidity and air cell progression high humidity several days prior to hatching and during hatching will not have an adverse effect. In fact high humidity actually can soften the shell and make hatching easier.

In fact if the humidity is too high during incubation, when the chicks internally pip the air cell, they can drown from condensation that can build up in the air cell. Some people wonder why their perfectly formed chicks don't hatch. During lock-down they need the higher humidity so they can move around in the egg to pip, zip and hatch. I keep my incubation humidity around 35% and during lock-down the humidity around 75%. I don't keep track of the air cell progression anymore because I usually have around 300 eggs in the incubator. Years ago when I was hatching out fewer eggs I did keep track of it more.