no humidity during incubation????

[pattgal]

is it true I shouldn't add water for the incubation part. I added water like it said in my instructions. I hope this won't affect my hatch rate
I read on the chook chicks cheat sheat that you have to add a bunch of paper towel to increase humidity for the lock down phase. I'm running the hovabator 1588 genesis model. it has 2 troughs to add water to for extra humidity. will I still need all the paper towel? Should I get a hygrometer?
Sorry I tend to concentrate all my questions in one post
please help me I don't want to screw this up. I'm waiting to get this right so I don't screw up the ones I'm about to order

 

[Mrs.brown]

I was wondering that to! Yes, I would get a hygrometer.

 

[Delmar]

Quote:
Yes. it's money well spent.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I use dry incubation for half the time (so about 10 days), then fill one of my water pots in my Brinsea Mini Advance. I fill the second pot when I enter lockdown.

I don't really "lock down" though, as I have to keep filling the water pot. But I don't open it otherwise.

But if I lived in a very dry climate, I might not do dry incubation. I am no expert on it.

Gotta watch for mold growth in those pots is the reason I like dry incubation. By the time they hatch, the pots are disgusting.

 

[Arielle]

Chickens Are Sweet wrote:

Gotta watch for mold growth in those pots is the reason I like dry incubation. By the time they hatch, the pots are disgusting.

Can vinegar be added to the water chambers to prevent growth of yucky things in the chambers???

Delmar and Mrs. Brown: I think you convinced me to invest in a hydrometer as the humidity really does need to be high, like 70%. And there's no way to be sure of the level without a hydrometer.

Patgal: I read CHookchick sheet too. She has great hatch rates! Gave me the confidence to go ahead and build an incubator and give it a go. THe poor hatch rates of many of the posters had me scared off. Not any more! Will build an incubator and try hatching a few! If you PM chookchick she will respond with enthusiasm and good tips.

GL !​

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
Can vinegar be added to the water chambers to prevent growth of yucky things in the chambers???

Delmar and Mrs. Brown: I think you convinced me to invest in a hydrometer as the humidity really does need to be high, like 70%. And there's no way to be sure of the level without a hydrometer.

Patgal: I read CHookchick sheet too. She has great hatch rates! Gave me the confidence to go ahead and build an incubator and give it a go. THe poor hatch rates of many of the posters had me scared off. Not any more! Will build an incubator and try hatching a few! If you PM chookchick she will respond with enthusiasm and good tips.

GL !

I don't know, but vinegar smells so bad- and the eggshells are porous...I would be hesitant.

 

[chickenfeverforever]

Quote:
I dry incubation doesnt mean absolutely no water. Its more the number of the humidity. I live in a very humid area so I put about 2 tablespoons of water in every 3-4 days or so. I am still considered dry incubation because I stay around 30% humidity. Then for lockdown I raise to 55-65%. Most the time the water chambers are not enough. I put paper towels in or a panty liner so I can just lift the lid and pour some water into the pad. Yes, Buy a hygrometer. How else will you know what your humidity is? You can get a cheap one from Petco in the reptile section. Dont forget to calibrate it.