Incubator humidity went looowww day nine

[Tumbleweedlynn]

Good evening all.

I put eggs in the incubator in the evening on the 9th. I had to leave town unexpectedly the morning of the 16th and just got home today. The humidity on my incubator was at 4% - I was keeping it at around 50%. I am going to candle tonight to see what I can see.

I do not have any outside equipment, my incubator is a Nurture Right 360. I have hatched three times prior to this successfully. I looked for and read articles for about an hour, but all I was coming across was info for when humidity was too high. I’ve read a lot about how unreliable incubators keep temperatures and humidity, but do any of you all know if such a drop in humidity is a game changer? I don’t know how long it was so low - it was 50% when I left Friday morning.

Thanks!

 

[Yardmom]

I don't know for sure, but my thoughts would be that they will be fine as the humidity (or lack of) controls how much moisture is lost over time. They may have lost a bit extra that day, but the rest of the time you have been on higher side of what works.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I can't fathom an indoor environment where you'd achieve 4% RH at 99 F. That said, if you went below 20% RH for an extended period your hatch rate will be dramatically reduced. It's hard to know how low the RH was as I believe the hygrometer is inaccurate.

 

[Tonyroo]

Just means it's wicking moisture off the egg making dry. Just add humidity back the way you had it.

Also check the air sac when you candle. It shouldn't look 2/3 occupied.

 

[Tumbleweedlynn]

I don't know for sure, but my thoughts would be that they will be fine as the humidity (or lack of) controls how much moisture is lost over time. They may have lost a bit extra that day, but the rest of the time you have been on higher side of what works.

Thank you!

 

[Tumbleweedlynn]

I can't fathom an indoor environment where you'd achieve 4% RH at 99 F. That said, if you went below 20% RH for an extended period your hatch rate will be dramatically reduced. It's hard to know how low the RH was as I believe the hygrometer is inaccurate.

Surely it is possible it is inaccurate. I guess I’m confused, though. The indoor environment (my home?) was at about 62, my husband says our house is no more than 5% humidity. Inside the incubator is 99.5 and now back to 50% humidity after I added water. Am candling in about 15 minutes to see what was going on day nine regardless. ( I’m in New Mexico). Thanks!

 

[gimmie birdies]

If you are reading humidity from digital it may not be accurate. I dry hatch, but my humidity will still read 50+ (not digital.) I only worry about humidity on day 18. I live in the dry foothills of the cascades.

 

[Tumbleweedlynn]

Ok, so here they are. 9 days in - 13 eggs. They were collected over about 8-9 days. They are Cemani eggs, so it’s kinda hard to see clearly because the eggs are brown. I’m not a pro at candling, soo….

 

[Watson606]

It's happened to us a few months ago, still had a decent hatch rate.

 

[Tumbleweedlynn]

It's happened to us a few months ago, still had a decent hatch rate.

I’ve noticed the panic these unknowns cause are disproportionate to the reality, mostly