Incubator Humidity

[Brylea]

So I’m on day 20 of incubation for silkie eggs. The humidity has been doing good and has been staying at 68 percent but then this morning it dropped to 63%, so I put more water and closed the ventilation more. It now just stays at 63% and I need to get the humidity up as soon as possible!

 

[R2elk]

So I’m on day 20 of incubation for silkie eggs. The humidity has been doing good and has been staying at 68 percent but then this morning it dropped to 63%, so I put more water and closed the ventilation more. It now just stays at 63% and I need to get the humidity up as soon as possible!

Do not close the vents in order to raise humidity. The hatch stage is when they need the most oxygen available which you are decreasing by reducing the ventilation.

Control humidity by increasing or reducing the surface area of the water. Increasing the depth of the water does nothing to increase the humidity. One way to in crease humidity is to add a sponge or cloth to the water reservoir so that it can wick into a greater surface area.

 

[Brylea]

Thank you I will have to try that! Also how long does it usually take a chick to pip on day 20?

 

[Brylea]

I just put the cloth in there and it worked right away! Thank you

 

[Knobby]

I just finished dry-hatching a batch of eggs. It was my first attempt at utilizing this method. Anyways, the humidity level at lockdown, according to my Acurite hydrometer, was around 30%. I didn't add water to adjust the level, but once my first egg hatched, the humidity shot up to 68%. Thus, each egg hatching will increase the level up. I guess, bottom line is, I would concentrate on the temperature. Just my 2 cents.

 

[LaurenRitz]

I do entirely dry hatch, running around 25%. A few percentage points shouldn't be a big deal if the chicks are healthy.

 

[Brylea]

When does your first pup usually happen? I’m on day 20 and still have about 7 hours until day 21

 

[Knobby]

I do entirely dry hatch, running around 25%. A few percentage points shouldn't be a big deal if the chicks are healthy.

I was concerned when my humidity levels were running 24-25%...was so tempted to add water, but wanted to ride this method to completion and was happy with the end results.

edit: apologize to the OP...not meaning to hijack this thread

 

[Brylea]

This is my first time ever incubating, so I guess I’m just a little crazy, and extra prepared

 

[Knobby]

When does your first pup usually happen? I’m on day 20 and still have about 7 hours until day 21

My first pip occurred during day 21, actually and took about 5 hours for the first chick to fully hatch out. Then several pippings occurred during day 22, but I've heard of folks experiencing their first pipping anywhere between days 18-25 and later.