Turkey incubation question........

[mrgreenjeans53]

Anyone know what humidity turkey eggs need during lockdown?

I am using an LG forced air and have 7 Bourbon Red eggs in lockdown. The eggs were incubated in this same incubator using an auto turner, (I made a 3" extention ring so the top sat higher and the heating element wasn't too close to the top of the eggs). The temp during incubation was kept between 99*-100*. I did not check humidity during incubation. I tried candling the eggs before putting the them in the incubator and again at 14 days. I could not see through the eggs either time.

The humidity in the bator right now is at 82%. Is this too high, too low, or just right? I am having some temp issues right now also. I have tried to set it at 99* but it keeps going up and down....99* up to 100.2, then back down to 98.6 and back up to 99.3, etc. It won't stop at one particular temp and stay there.

Any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. With all the experts and experienced folks on here I know someone can answer my questions/concerns.


Thanks in advance,

Tim

 

[A.T. Hagan]

82% is too high. Shoot for somewhere between 60-70% with closer to 60% the better.

Minor temperature fluctuations at this stage are not that important. Try to keep it between 98.5 and 100.5.

Is the temperature of the room the incubator is in fluctuating? That may account for your swings.

 

[mrgreenjeans53]

Thanks A.T., although it may already be too late. The humidity was at 79-82% all night last night. The lowest I have been able to lower the humidity is 75%. It has been fairly warm and raining here for the past few days and nights so it is pretty humid in my garage where my bators are. I tried opening the two overhead doors and running fans, blowing outward, but it actually got more humid. Other than removing all the water from the bator I don't know what else to do.

The temps in my garage do fluctuate some but not really that much. I have 3 other LG's. 1 with forced air and 2 without. The ones without I use as hatchers. All 3 are full of eggs. This is why the 7 Bourbon Red turkey eggs are still in the 4th LG (w/fan) for lockdown. They were incubated in this bator in an auto turner. I removed the turner and laid the eggs on their sides. Before that it, and the other 3 bators kept steady temps. The humidity in the other 3 are steady at 72%. I can't get them any lower either.

I guess I'll just have to hope for the best.

Thank you again A.T.


Tim

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I have a similar problem when I do the hatching display for my county fair. There are no permanent buildings so I have to set up in an outdoor tent. Wide swings in humidity with mostly on the "too high" side. You'll probably be best off to not put any water in the hatchers at all. At most spray a very little fine mist over the eggs once when you first put them in if the humidity is too low. Sounds like you won't need even that. Afterwards as each egg hatches they'll contribute their own humidity which will keep it pushed up, probably too high. When it starts staying over 70% constantly I take the top off the incubator for about a minute or so to let out as much moisture as I can then replace it. This isn't long enough for the eggs to significantly cool so the heater should bring the air temperature back up quickly. Normally only have to do this a few times in the heat of the day.

 

[mrgreenjeans53]

A.T.,

I took a chance, since I thought it was all over for these eggs, and moved them to the still air hatcher and only filled one water trough in the bottom. According to my hygrometer the humidity was only 62% after the hatcher reached 99*. I left it at that and said to my self "if they hatch, they hatch and if they don't, they don't". Yesterday was day 29 for these eggs.

Last night around 11p.m. I was in my garage, where my incubators and hatchers are. I looked through the window in the hatcher and lo & behold, one of the eggs was wobbling up a storm. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that that one and the other 6 will hatch today or tomorrow. Apparently the 82% humidity didn't hurt this one little one too awful much. The way its egg was wobbling it wanted out!!!

I'll keep you posted on if it and the others hatch. Thank you again for your expert advice.


Tim