Secondary drying incubator humidity?

[bravecoconut]

I'm setting up my backup "drying" incurator just in case the humidity spikes during hatching. I don't want someone stuck in there for hours soaked and die. For anyone else that does this, do you put any water in the reservoir? If so, what percentage to you aim for?

Before anyone says anything, yes I know all the "don't open your incubator or everyone will shrink wrap and die" spiel. I'm aware of the risks and know what to look for. I also know that a 95% humidity will cause a chick to not dry for hours and possibly die. Scooping them out quickly won't drop the humidity by much. If it's so high the chick can't dry then obviously no one is getting glued or wrapped. I'm not trying to be snotty, I just don't want to be fussed at or lectured! I do sincerely appreciate the concern though. I have all six pipped and want to be ready for anything, that's all.

 

[nuthatched]

Have you tried dry incubation during the whole process so you won't need a secondary incubator?
Or just propping the lid off a tad?

 

[The Moonshiner]

I dry hatch until lockdown. I try to have it so about time everyone has hatched its getting low on water. Once it drops to 45- 50% the dry pretty quickly.
If I did it your way I'd probably aim for 40- 45%. That's just my opinion though.

 

[bravecoconut]

Have you tried dry incubation during the whole process so you won't need a secondary incubator?
Or just propping the lid off a tad?

No and no. I don't mind the second. It's really not an issue. I'm just curious if others that do use this stabilize the humidity prior to possibly using it. I live right on the water - my house is elevated six feet - so the humidity fluctuates greatly naturally with the tide. I prefer keeping the humidity stable at 45% as opposed to the giant fluctuations living here can cause. I'm also not comfortable propping the lid for a litany of reasons. The main one is my anxiety.

 

[bravecoconut]

I dry hatch until lockdown. I try to have it so about time everyone has hatched its getting low on water. Once it drops to 45- 50% the dry pretty quickly.
If I did it your way I'd probably aim for 40- 45%. That's just my opinion though.

Thank you. That's what I was thinking as 45% is what I keep it on for the first 18.

 

[nuthatched]

No and no. I don't mind the second. It's really not an issue. I'm just curious if others that do use this stabilize the humidity prior to possibly using it. I live right on the water - my house is elevated six feet - so the humidity fluctuates greatly naturally with the tide. I prefer keeping the humidity stable at 45% as opposed to the giant fluctuations living here can cause. I'm also not comfortable propping the lid for a litany of reasons. The main one is my anxiety.

You want to give dry hatching a try, much easier, especially in humid environments.

 

[bravecoconut]

You want to give dry hatching a try, much easier, especially in humid environments.

I might when I have eggs I didn't pay for! I'd rather experiment on "free" eggs from my own flock. You know, the ones that in reality probably cost me well in the triple digits. I know this way works for me for now. I'm sure I'll be asking a bunch of questions when I do try.

 

[Debbie292d]

I'm setting up my backup "drying" incurator just in case the humidity spikes during hatching. I don't want someone stuck in there for hours soaked and die. For anyone else that does this, do you put any water in the reservoir? If so, what percentage to you aim for?

Before anyone says anything, yes I know all the "don't open your incubator or everyone will shrink wrap and die" spiel. I'm aware of the risks and know what to look for. I also know that a 95% humidity will cause a chick to not dry for hours and possibly die. Scooping them out quickly won't drop the humidity by much. If it's so high the chick can't dry then obviously no one is getting glued or wrapped. I'm not trying to be snotty, I just don't want to be fussed at or lectured! I do sincerely appreciate the concern though. I have all six pipped and want to be ready for anything, that's all.

I have a hatching incubator, and they stay in there even if the humidity spikes to 90% due to several hatching at once. It's been literally raining in there a time or two. That short period of time doesn't hurt, only if it were for several hours.

I've cracked one side or the other for a couple of seconds if I was right there when they were hatching, but many times I'm not. I've hatched over 500 silkies this year alone, and none ever drowned.

 

[bravecoconut]

I have a hatching incubator, and they stay in there even if the humidity spikes to 90% due to several hatching at once. It's been literally raining in there a time or two. That short period of time doesn't hurt, only if it were for several hours.

I've cracked one side or the other for a couple of seconds if I was right there when they were hatching, but many times I'm not. I've hatched over 500 silkies this year alone, and none ever drowned.

Thank you for the response and information. I have had a couple people tell me of them loosing chicks that didn't dry overnight. This is the only reason I set one up. I haven't had to use it as of yet. One has hatched and another is zipping as I write this. The humidity is only up to 74%. The first chick is drying. It just makes me feel better to have it and not need it versus needing it and not having it. You're making me feel better and I thank you!