Question about Incubating Bantam Eggs

[Noah209]

Hey I have a maticcoopx (20 egg) incubator, I have currently been using it just as a backup for if a broody hen abandons the nest (or leaves some eggs after the first chicks hatch). I want to attempt to incubate my bantam eggs in it now but before I do I wanted to get some information on what humidity is best for bantams.

I live in the central valley (CA) so humidity is generally about 30-40% this time of year. Would 50% for the first 18 days then 65% for lockdown provide good hatches for bantams? I’ve read that since they’re smaller they can lose moisture faster but I’m not sure. If the breed matters it’ll be a mix of silkie, frizzle, polish, and old english bantam eggs. Please let me know if you have any experience with the incubator or any experience incubating bantams. Thanks in advance!

 

[007Sean]

Hey I have a maticcoopx (20 egg) incubator, I have currently been using it just as a backup for if a broody hen abandons the nest (or leaves some eggs after the first chicks hatch). I want to attempt to incubate my bantam eggs in it now but before I do I wanted to get some information on what humidity is best for bantams.

I live in the central valley (CA) so humidity is generally about 30-40% this time of year. Would 50% for the first 18 days then 65% for lockdown provide good hatches for bantams? I’ve read that since they’re smaller they can lose moisture faster but I’m not sure. If the breed matters it’ll be a mix of silkie, frizzle, polish, and old english bantam eggs. Please let me know if you have any experience with the incubator or any experience incubating bantams. Thanks in advance!

I would incubate them at 99.5°F and 30 to 35% Rh for the first 18 days of incubation. I'd increase the Rh% to 50 - 55% for the final 3 to 4 days of the incubation period or the 'hatching phase'. I do not like the term that has become popular on chicken sites, 'lockdown'. If you know what your doing and have experience at hatching eggs, you can open the incubator to get chick's out or add water to raise the Rh% without affecting the other eggs in the incubators.

ETA-- what percentage of Rh you run your incubator at will be determined by the ambient moisture in the air at your location and the location of the incubator. Also, AC and or heating have an effect on Rh in the incubator.

 

[Ch1cken Tender]

I would incubate them at 99.5°F and 30 to 35% Rh for the first 18 days of incubation. I'd increase the Rh% to 50 - 55% for the final 3 to 4 days of the incubation period or the 'hatching phase'. I do not like the term that has become popular on chicken sites, 'lockdown'. If you know what your doing and have experience at hatching eggs, you can open the incubator to get chick's out or add water to raise the Rh% without affecting the other eggs in the incubator.

Do you have a particular process that you use to remove chicks or add water during the hatching phase or is it a matter of speed? I’ve been worried about that issue with my upcoming hatch.

 

[007Sean]

Do you have a particular process that you use to remove chicks or add water during the hatching phase or is it a matter of speed? I’ve been worried about that issue with my upcoming hatch.

Speed, do it quickly. The moisture (Rh) will return quickly in most cases if done very quickly. I don't worry about if there are eggs that have pipped, if it takes a little longer than I normally would take to remove the chick's, then I'd mist the top inside of the incubator, again, really depends on how much experience you have with hatching eggs.

 

[Ch1cken Tender]

Speed, do it quickly. The moisture (Rh) will return quickly in most cases if done very quickly. I don't worry about if there are eggs that have pipped, if it takes a little longer than I normally would take to remove the chick's, then I'd mist the top inside of the incubator, again, really depends on how much experience you have with hatching eggs.

That’ll be good to keep in mind. Thank you!

 

[Noah209]

I would incubate them at 99.5°F and 30 to 35% Rh for the first 18 days of incubation. I'd increase the Rh% to 50 - 55% for the final 3 to 4 days of the incubation period or the 'hatching phase'. I do not like the term that has become popular on chicken sites, 'lockdown'. If you know what your doing and have experience at hatching eggs, you can open the incubator to get chick's out or add water to raise the Rh% without affecting the other eggs in the incubators.

ETA-- what percentage of Rh you run your incubator at will be determined by the ambient moisture in the air at your location and the location of the incubator. Also, AC and or heating have an effect on Rh in the incubator.

Okay great! With no water added my incubator reads between 32-35% so i’ll likely run it with no water for the first 18 days then add water for the last few days when i remove the automatic egg turners

 

[007Sean]

Okay great! With no water added my incubator reads between 32-35% so i’ll likely run it with no water for the first 18 days then add water for the last few days when i remove the automatic egg turners

Ok but I'd still keep a keen eye on the Rh!
In early spring here, I don't add any water to my bators either, the humidity is usually around 50% or higher but as I have to start using the AC, I have to add water to get the % Rh I want for whatever eggs I'm hatching.

 

[Noah209]

Speed, do it quickly. The moisture (Rh) will return quickly in most cases if done very quickly. I don't worry about if there are eggs that have pipped, if it takes a little longer than I normally would take to remove the chick's, then I'd mist the top inside of the incubator, again, really depends on how much experience you have with hatching eggs.

Do you ever have issues with dry membranes? I’ve tried reading a lot of forums and some people recommend 40-55% humidity the first 18 days. I’ve also read that people get better hatches with low humidity (30-35% like you mentioned). I’m just curious if bantam eggs are any different than regular sized. Some forums say they’re the same while others say the bantam ones are smaller and lose moisture faster. Do you have any experience with bantam eggs? If so have you noticed any differences?

 

[Noah209]

Ok but I'd still keep a keen eye on the Rh!
In early spring here, I don't add any water to my bators either, the humidity is usually around 50% or higher but as I have to start using the AC, I have to add water to get the % Rh I want for whatever eggs I'm hatching.

I see, I’ve noticed sometimes during the day mine will get as high as 51% but at nights drops to about 28%. Would this huge swing cause issues or is it more of an “average” over the entire day?

 

[007Sean]

I see, I’ve noticed sometimes during the day mine will get as high as 51% but at nights drops to about 28%. Would this huge swing cause issues or is it more of an “average” over the entire day?

Swings are not good, either temperature or humidity. If you can't keep it stable than an average will have to do. Depends on how long it's on the low end of the required %. Most birds in the wild require that the moisture in the ground, if (ground nesters) be around 30% if any lower they will not hatch, and to much moisture is just as bad.
Too little moisture and the air cell will be huge not much room for the chick to develop, and possible won't hatch (DIS) too much moisture and the air cell will be too small the embryo will most likely not develop fully before hatch day, also resulting in a DIS chick or have 'water belly' if it does manage to hatch.