Loading the incubator today- humidity question.

[Minky]

I am using a 42 egg incubator (styrofoam one with forced air fan and egg turner) Ive had it running for 2 days. Keeping temp very well.
What should my humidity be at to start? The two red plugs were lost before loaned to me, and they told me to tape them up.

Also- I'm putting the heat at 99.5 (is that the best temperature?).

My eggs have been in the cold cellar being turned 3 x a day. I will bring them into the "hatching room" today to bring them up to room temp (75) and put them in tonight.

 

[hysop]

40-50% is the target humidity.

On Day 10 you should uncover the holes to let fresh air circulate.

 

[Mvan42]

I have a similar incubator. I keep my humidity from 30 to 40. That works the best for me in my location.

 

[Minky]

how do you get it so low? Our house humidity is 50 which is ideal for engineered hardwood floors etc.. how can I make the humidity lower in the incubator? So add ZERO water ? Is that correct. I've been running with some water in it to test everything- smells a bit like a kids laundry hamper now...

 

[hysop]

how do you get it so low? Our house humidity is 50 which is ideal for engineered hardwood floors etc.. how can I make the humidity lower in the incubator? So add ZERO water ? Is that correct. I've been running with some water in it to test everything- smells a bit like a kids laundry hamper now...

Yes, to keep the humidity low you would need to run it dry but even running it dry it wouldn’t get much lower than what your house humidity is.

Is this your first time incubating?

 

[hysop]

Also, do you have a separate thermometer and hygrometer to double check your humidity and temp?

Sometimes the built in ones aren’t accurate. I know with my old incubator which is similar to the one you described the humidity would always read 40-50% but the one I had bought to confirm would be reading higher or lower depending on how much water there was and I confirmed with two separate hygrometers.

 

[Minky]

yes I double checked both with a second thermostat and hygrometer.
yes my first time not using a broody hen

 

[Minky]

ok I dumped out most water last night and its at 53% now.... and temp is 99.7

 

[hysop]

ok I dumped out most water last night and its at 53% now.... and temp is 99.7

If running it dry puts you at 40-50% I would run it dry. It is really humid where I live and my house is 45-50%

 

[Minky]

ok. thanks.
I put the eggs in while it was at temperature. I hope this was right????
It has been 3 hours now and its still now quite at temperature! it's 96.4 right now. should it take this long? Is everything ok? I ran it for 2 days before putting any eggs in.