So if I follow the directions............

[ol_grayfeather]

..... on my Hova-Bator 1602N (with circulation fan)...... Initial set up calls for smaller/inner water tray filled, larger/outer water tray empty. After two hours of fine tuning, the Temp is pretty steady at 99.6 - 100.2*F Readings are taken with the digital Temp/RH gauge shipped with the set up. Analog (glass) thermometer supplied with incubator stays right at 100* Humidity is at 51%. If I remove one red vent plug from top/lid, RH is at 46% and both plugs removed RH is 40%.

With both plugs reinstalled and both water trays filled (water temp when added, both times, is 100*F according to my instant read meat thermometer) Temp at 99.7-100.2 and RH at 63-64%. One plug removed = RH at 59%, Temp 99.3-99.9. Both red plugs removed = RH at 56%, Temp 99.1-99.3

All readings taken approximately 30 minutes after adjustments made.

Directions say leave both plugs in and remove them after eggs have hatched, or if there is condensation on the sight windows. Also says to fill second/outer water tray on day 18. I read an article that stated lockdown RH should be 50-55%..... but I've also read here on BYC that many people run the RH lower.

All of these readings are without the egg turner in the incubator. Directions say that RH can be reduced by partially covering the water tray and that LESS RH is usually better than more. I will install the turner this evening and check RH in the AM.

What are the effects of RH that is too high? What is the proper RH range for incubating and again for hatching? <---- I know this question will get a wide range of answers, but I'd like to know what people with real world experience have to say.... rather than what I've read in a magazine.


Thanks for your help.

If its worth doing, its worth doing right

 

[FireTigeris]

too much humidity can drown the chicks at hatch.

too little and they fail to hatch do to 'shrinkwrapping' and they eventually starve/dehydrate (w/o help out).

I followed directions on my LG incubator w/o having a humidity reading at all, I have an average of 73% hatch rate w/o loss after hatch with one batch shipped one batch mine.

So there will be tolerance either way, to be safe in my opinion, less is better (RH). As I can fix shrinkwrapping, (misting the eggs with a water bottle, adding wet sponges, helping the chick out) I can't fix drowned.