Need help with humidity numbers for hatching in a Hovabator/Still

[dorthal]

I have a still Hovabator 1602N. I get conflicting numbers for the humidity. The last hatch I did was horrible. I went by the numbers I got from a search on google. 60-65% for 1st 18 days and 80-85 for last 3 days. I had 16 eggs only 2 hatched, they hatched 2 days late. When I check now, I get those figures and I also get figures much lower. I am preparing to put 2 dozen mixed chicks in, but I need some good advice on what you all have used. Currently, I have the temp at 102, humidity is 35. Before I try to change the humidity, thought I would like get some input on what you have used and what the hatch was. Also, both plugs are in the bator.

Thanks a lot guys

 

[babymakes6]

NO! NO! Your chicks will drown from humidity that high! Try the dry hatch method-ignore the humidity for days 1-18, and only add a little water if it gets below 25%. Then on day 18, raise it to 60-70% and LEAVE THE INCUBATOR CLOSED! You will have much better hatches from this method. Good luck, and you can PM me if you want to

 

[babymakes6]

I am using a Hovabator still-air that my sister gave me for Christmas, and this is my first batch of eggs (due next Monday) in it. I used a LG still-air all last year and consistently got 85-100% hatch rates with it. My first 2 hatches were like yours-dismal failures, because I had too high of humidity.

 

[samshens]

Wow, 25%, seems too low after everything that I have read. If you had good luck maybe i'll give it a try. Have 12 Merans eggs due here tomorrow.

 

[Bravo]

Humidity is a racy topic around here. Everyone has an opinion of what works best.

This next time around I am going to do 35% for days 1-18 and 60-65% at lockdown. The last 2 hatches I did the humidity got away from me and into the 75% zone and I lost a lot of peeps. I am really hoping that keeping the humidity lower at lockdown is going to help.

best of luck to you on your hatch!

 

[mulia24]

agree with bravo, I often get protest and critic if I said you should use xx% humidity. xx is number of course.

i use 30-40 for 1-18 60-70 for 19-21

 

[babymakes6]

Here is a thread that may help you- https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=276491&p=1

I wouldn't do it any way but the dry hatch now.

 

[joebryant]

50-55*F for days 1-18
60-70*F for days 19-25

 

[dorthal]

Thanks guys! I am going to give the 35% then 60-65% a try. This follows with other articles that I have read. Yes, I agree humidity is a racy subject, not only here, but on everything I have pulled up. I put eggs in incubator yesterday. Keep your fingers crossed for me. As I said they are mixed. Silverlaced Wyandott, Barred Rocks, Buff Orphington, I don't know which rooster runs with them. Should be an interesting hatch. Looking for egg layers.

Thanks again!!

 

[Fluffy-Butt-Farms]

your humidity also depends on where you are. I'm in florida, and i run 40-45 humidity for the first 18 days, it has gone up to 50, but it goes back down. day 18-21 i get it up around 55-60. the only time you would run humidity at 60 for first 18 and 80 for end is for maran eggs because their membranes are so thick they need the extra moisture. i do have a friend that runs her sportsman at 60 percent day 1-21, but that is because she has constant rotating eggs hatching. she just hatched 24 out of 30 eggs for me.