is there really a way to dry hatch?

[chicksnducks]

I would like to know more about dry hatching...this humidity is making me crazy. it just dropped down to 28%- last time I raised it too much and it never really went down below 55 .....any ideas?

 

[chrisf]

My own experience , I dont get hung up on humidity, I dont even have a way to monitor it except two small bowls of water in there. When it gets low, I just fill it. I've been hatching for over 15 years and have excellent success with chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, pheasant and even turtle and gecko eggs.

 

[jimnjay]

http://p098.ezboard.com/fbackyardchickensfrm17.showMessage?topicID=3842.topic

This is a link to an article on Dry incubation. You may have a faulty hygrometer.

We are having extreamly variable weather lately here. Humidity is 70+ % one day then 50% the next and down from there the following few days. It really is hard to control in winter.

If you have the proper channels filled in your incubator, you should be ok with swings in humidity as long as it does not stay at 28% for a long time and you get it back up during the final few days.

 

[chicksnducks]

that article was so informative...thanks....I will ride out this batch and then try all the new advice!
I have about 30 eggs at day ten....

 

[silkiechicken]

I just watch air cell growth and go from there. Usually I run high for the first 14 days and leave it dry for the last 7. Humidity in this area is high to start with though so that's probably why it works.

 

[chicksnducks]

is the humidity measured through the probe or the acual meter...I have an acurite...that I keep inside the bator with the prob in the water wiggle...should I move it outside the bator with the prob still inside?

 

[silkiechicken]

I believe in most devices the temp is measured at the probe and the humidity is measured on the body of the device. Drop the whole thing in the bator and see what it says.

 

[jimnjay]

In the accurite with the probe, the humidity is measured by the actual meter. That is why some choose a different unit. It is kind of big to fit into the incubator depending on which one you have.

 

[chicksnducks]

I have it all in the bator but I did try to keep it outside and the humidity and temp was off...so I put it inside....thanks...but if I use the whole room humidity plan I should be able to keep it out of the bator....next time.....

 

[buc]

Quote:
I am with you on this issue, I have hatched chickens, turkeys and pheasents and all I have ever done is add water to the little reserves at the bottom of the bator when I add or take out the eggs,