New to incubation

[alexandherpets]

I find different answers all over the place, but i was just wanting to ask you all out there from personal experience. I am new to the incubation process, and have two incubators at the moment (both in use). I was wondering about the humidity of the incubator. I am constantly checking on the humidity and want to make sure my humidity levels are ok. I have about 25 eggs in a janoel 4 48 and the humidity is kept at a constant 45-50, sometimes getting to 52, but rarely. Is this humidity level alright or too high? i thought it was too high at first but im reading in some places that it is a good level to keep it at. What do you think?

 

[Wyandottes7]

The humidity level seems fine to me. When I incubate, I keep the humidity at about 50% for the first eighteen days, and then increase it to 65-70 % during the last three days of incubation.

 

[alexandherpets]

Thanks!! ill be sure to keep it around 50. Whats the ideal humidity for the 18-21st day? i heard it was 60-80. is that right? Does it matter how many eggs are in the incubator? I thought that maybe the more eggs in the incubator, the higher you should keep the humidity level.

 

[Wyandottes7]

Thanks!! ill be sure to keep it around 50. Whats the ideal humidity for the 18-21st day? i heard it was 60-80. is that right? Does it matter how many eggs are in the incubator? I thought that maybe the more eggs in the incubator, the higher you should keep the humidity level.

60-70% humidity is good for the 18-21st days. Some people keep it lower (in fact, some "dry hatch", which means that they don't even add water to the incubator), but I always keep it at 60%-70%. As far as I know, the number of eggs doesn't make a difference.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I dry hatch- but it is in a small box. if you ever stick your hand inside it is still moist, so it isn't really dry.

 

[Farmer Viola]

humidity isn't really a set number.. you can candle and weigh eggs as they progress to make sure they are losing weight (gaining an air cell) properly.

this thread recommends Humidity between 28%-45% for the first 18 days
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101
scroll down to: HUMIDITY

edit: in my experience, the more eggs in the incubator, the more humidity they generate. I have actually had to reduce the humidity here in Oregon!