Incubators Anonymous

[MinnesotaNice]

Thanks for the advice - I drained the one tray I was using and left about 1/4 cup. MN has been a bit on the humid side lately which is of no help. I'd open up one of the vents, but the bator temp is so dang temperamental. I'm glad to have everything as it should be temp-wise. I'm gonna see what the rh reads in a bit.

 

[MinnesotaNice]

I decided to open the two top vents to get the humidity more under control. It took a little spike. Both temp gauges read out differently as you can tell. I average them. Looks like it's going down slowly but surely.

Thanks for the chart - I'll give a look at the air cells when I get the humidity evened out.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I drained the one tray I was using and left about 1/4 cup. I'd open up one of the vents,

Keep in mind---its the surface area of the water not how deep it is that affects the humidity, so if you have the same size container---the moisture would be the same if it is 1/16th deep or 1" deep. "I" would never run my incubator with the vents closed---at least one open for the first 18 days. If your incubator will not keep the heat up with one vent open---it might need to be put in a warmer room or insulate without blocking vent holes----including the small vent holes. Or add a extra heat source.

 

[MinnesotaNice]

Keep in mind---its the surface area of the water not how deep it is that affects the humidity, so if you have the same size container---the moisture would be the same if it is 1/16th deep or 1" deep. "I" would never run my incubator with the vents closed---at least one open for the first 18 days. If your incubator will not keep the heat up with one vent open---it might need to be put in a warmer room or insulate without blocking vent holes----including the small vent holes. Or add a extra heat source.

Rookie move. It's my first hatch with this bator, but I should have known that. I got it down about 5%. Both vents are open and temp is still holding. I'm hoping to get it down to 45-50%. I'll keep the vents open until the final lockdown.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I decided to open the two top vents to get the humidity more under control. It took a little spike. Both temp gauges read out differently as you can tell. I average them. Looks like it's going down slowly but surely.

What do you do with the 2 clear tubes in the top? "I" feel you should be ok with just one vent removed the first 18 days. If your humidity is still to high, you can reduce the size of the water trough(flat rocks or similiar broke tile etc.)figuring you are already using the smallest one or dry incubate and see what the humidity is.

 

[PD-Riverman]

Rookie move. It's my first hatch with this bator, but I should have known that. I got it down about 5%. Both vents are open and temp is still holding. I'm hoping to get it down to 45-50%. I'll keep the vents open until the final lockdown.

OK, I am going to just tell you what I do----this is yours so you decide what you want to do, I run one vent plug out for the first 18 days, both out during lock down----works good in my area. I keep my humidity in the 30's for the first 18 days. Good Luck

 

[stryker]

PD-Riverman... What is your lock down humidity goal?

 

[Faraday40]

I've had pretty good luck with a semi-dry incubation. When using a styrofoam incubator, I don't use the troughs, but instead a small dish. It keeps mine at 20-30% humidity. At day 18 thru hatch, I use the troughs to get humidity up to 60-65%. There's some great, detailed info here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101
It all depends on how much of an addict you want to be.

When I help other teachers hatch in the classroom, I simply let them use the troughs. Their hatch rates may be slightly lower, but something always hatches. After all, that's why the manufacturer's built in the troughs.

 

[PD-Riverman]

PD-Riverman... What is your lock down humidity goal?

65 to 75%

 

[MinnesotaNice]

I have the tube running into the largest outside water tray. I don't have to open the lid to add/remove water. I just use a syringe and run it on through. The second tubing isn't in use. I just have it there in case I need it the last few days to keep the humidity up in a second tray.

I ran the bator dry a few days before putting the eggs in. Humidity was around 35%. I may just have to run it dry until MN gets it's act together