Incubator Humidity

[Lyle]

This is my first go at hatching/incubating....i made my own incubator and have had constant temps and humidity. Thing is is that i read when i first started a couple weeks ago that the humidity should be 60 - 65% up to the 18th day then 80-85% for the last three. So i come on here today and see it should be allot lower at that start and then 60-65% the last three days. I have two more days till the 18th day. What problems am i going to run into?Will the chicks die/not be able to get out? Will this humidity be ok, and just continue with what i am doing. Or is it to late? I started with 12 eggs and have 6 that are good....chicks inside right now, i don't want to ruin it the last few days of incubating.

 

[HenPenny]

I am as confused as you are. I read the same instructions. I am at lockdown. I'm trying to get my humidty in the 80 % range. I'll let you know Wed how things are going.

 

[HEChicken]

There is no one set of figures that works 100% of the time for 100% of the people - there are just too many other factors that affect hatch rate and humidity. I'd suggest spending a little time reading this thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=113681
I found it very useful for understanding IN GENERAL what effect humidity has on hatching eggs. You can then use that information to determine what will work best for YOUR conditions.

 

[Lyle]

Well it must of worked with the humidity and temps i was using in my first homemade incubator. Had one (not sure of all the terminology yet, piped, peep, zip, zag) poke a hole yesterday morning (21st day) and it finally broke free this morning almost 24 hrs later. And i have three other eggs rockin as i type this. Hope they make it as well