Incubators Anonymous

[Cknldy]

I got my first incubator today! On sale for chick days at tsc even though they don't get chicks til 25th. It's a Farm Innovator 4200 with auto turner and hygrometer. It held a steady 99.5 temp and 60% humidity which is what the paper said to be at til lockdown, then raise humidity to 65%. I've seen a few comments on humidity needing to be much lower until lockdown. What should it be around? Just put eggs in a few hours ago and humidity went to 70%. Unplugged 1 vent and temp steady, humidity 60.

 

[ki4got]

I got my first incubator today! On sale for chick days at tsc even though they don't get chicks til 25th. It's a Farm Innovator 4200 with auto turner and hygrometer. It held a steady 99.5 temp and 60% humidity which is what the paper said to be at til lockdown, then raise humidity to 65%. I've seen a few comments on humidity needing to be much lower until lockdown. What should it be around? Just put eggs in a few hours ago and humidity went to 70%. Unplugged 1 vent and temp steady, humidity 60.

60% is way too high IMO... as i've said before, i dry incubate. usually between 10 and 15%... others prefer 20-30... it just depends on your local conditions IMO. but first things first, yank those plugs... eggs need to breathe! that will also help keep the humidity a bit lower during incubation too. and no, don't put the plugs back in when they start hatching, they need even more air then!

 

[Americangame]

My last hatch i had about 40-45% humidity till lock down which i raised to 65-70%

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
x2 I keep mine under 35% I just don't worry about it. My bator drys the eggs TOO much if it stays lower. You will just have to try it and see what works for you. Start low and adjust it about 5% per hatch till you think it works best.

 

[Brethren49619]

hello all.

DH bought me a 1588 with the auto turner for Christmas, and I recently plugged it in to see what kind of temps and humidity I would have here in northern Michigan. Without water I have about 15% humidity, with water in one reservoir about 55% - both with the vent closed. Temp is steady at about 99.8.

Is 15% too low? Any water added in makes the humidity go up to 55%. If I need just a little more humidity, say to 30% or so, how do I get the humidity up only a little bit?

Thoughts??

 

[Adam7]

hello all. DH bought me a 1588 with the auto turner for Christmas, and I recently plugged it in to see what kind of temps and humidity I would have here in northern Michigan. Without water I have about 15% humidity, with water in one reservoir about 55% - both with the vent closed. Temp is steady at about 99.8. Is 15% too low? Any water added in makes the humidity go up to 55%. If I need just a little more humidity, say to 30% or so, how do I get the humidity up only a little bit? Thoughts??

Open both vents and check again. You need air in there any way. It should help to bring the humidity down.

 

[Flowerbh]

hello all.

DH bought me a 1588 with the auto turner for Christmas, and I recently plugged it in to see what kind of temps and humidity I would have here in northern Michigan. Without water I have about 15% humidity, with water in one reservoir about 55% - both with the vent closed. Temp is steady at about 99.8.

Is 15% too low? Any water added in makes the humidity go up to 55%. If I need just a little more humidity, say to 30% or so, how do I get the humidity up only a little bit?

Thoughts??

I have the same incubator and like you said, if you filled one reservoir, it went up to 55-60%. So, I got two shot glasses and put them on the side. It keeps it about 40%....BUT, I have to add the water every 12 hours...so some people use a little tupperware container with holes cut in the lids....you would have to work it out on the size of the hole. If you already have eggs in there, you may want to wait until it is empty to fiddle with it. Good luck. It is such fun to see those little chicks hatch!

 

[Brethren49619]

No eggs yet. Wanted to see what readings would be first, kinda fiddle with it without messing with the eggs. Thanks for the responses. One more question pleases. It has the auto turner in it. Where would you put the tupperware container then? Or the shot glasses?

 

[Flowerbh]

No eggs yet. Wanted to see what readings would be first, kinda fiddle with it without messing with the eggs. Thanks for the responses. One more question pleases. It has the auto turner in it. Where would you put the tupperware container then? Or the shot glasses?

See where the motor is? Along that side, there is about a 2" area between the trays and the wall of the incubator. That is where I put the shot glasses.

 

[Brethren49619]

Thank you. I see it. I don't have any shot glasses, but thinking maybe a pill bottle or two could be used instead. I will try it and let you know how it works! Appreciate the feedback!