Turkeys For 2013

[Arielle]

Quote: First three weeks I dry incubate = add just enough water to keep humidity 30-40%. It fluctuates. THe key is to follow the air cell development = matches diagrams on days 7, 14, 21 and 26.

If at lockdown the aircell is the correct size, then I bump up the humidity to 80%, and temp needs to decrease a degree. THis is Porter's method.

But as I have said, I have many chicks/poults hatch while still in the incubator at the lower humidity.

In general I think that the higher humidity helps keep the membrane moist while a poult is slow to zip. To keep that membrane from getting too dry. On the other hand I have seen it be too wet and it became rubbery and the chick still couldn't get the lid off. IDK? THis is why I help. I can always cull later if there was a physical anomoly.

 

[r4eboxer]

I guess I'll have to try 80% humidity although I am afraid of such high humidity but I know that the experts know better. The only thing is that even with both water trays filled with water, I only get 40% humidity. I guess that I will have to put a small dish with water in the incubator in addition to having both water trays filled.

Get a kitchen sponge (new) and get it wet, not dripping but wet all the way through with just a very small wring. You want it soaked but not dripping. Put it in your bator and your humidity will quickly climb to 80 percent.

 

[Celie]

Are you talking about Wet bulb or dry readings for humidity? Are you calibrating with a Hydrometer? My incubator instruction manual gives directions for setting the humidity and it also tells how the humidity is also effected by the temperature you are holding. There is not enough room on a PM to send a copy to you, so if you Pm me your email address, I will email you a copy.

 

[Celie]

GQF sells what is called a humidity pad, for doing that. It is a special type of sponge to use in the water pan, with a forsed are incubator.

 

[fowlsessed]

$6 ea.! Do they look pure? How do I tell if they are male or female? That could be the reason for the good price, if they're all males!

http://chattanooga.craigslist.org/grd/3573047263.html

Thanks,

 

[fowlsessed]

I see that all white bird in the background, so there is possibility of them being crosses. Do they have a lot of white on them for BR's? Anyone know of that line?

 

[Celie]

First three weeks I dry incubate = add just enough water to keep humidity 30-40%. It fluctuates. THe key is to follow the air cell development = matches diagrams on days 7, 14, 21 and 26.

If at lockdown the aircell is the correct size, then I bump up the humidity to 80%, and temp needs to decrease a degree. THis is Porter's method.

But as I have said, I have many chicks/poults hatch while still in the incubator at the lower humidity.

In general I think that the higher humidity helps keep the membrane moist while a poult is slow to zip. To keep that membrane from getting too dry. On the other hand I have seen it be too wet and it became rubbery and the chick still couldn't get the lid off. IDK? THis is why I help. I can always cull later if there was a physical anomoly.

If your eggs are hatching before they should, your temperature is too high, try lowering it 1/2 degree and see it that is enough.

$6 ea.! Do they look pure? How do I tell if they are male or female? That could be the reason for the good price, if they're all males!

http://chattanooga.craigslist.org/grd/3573047263.html

Thanks,

Call them and ask?

 

[tsparrow]

I guess I'll have to try 80% humidity although I am afraid of such high humidity but I know that the experts know better. The only thing is that even with both water trays filled with water, I only get 40% humidity. I guess that I will have to put a small dish with water in the incubator in addition to having both water trays filled.

With the high humidity you need to lower the temp. They say high humidity and high temp is deadly.

 

[erinszoo]

My humidity dropped to 30 this morning in the incubator. That was quick because I just added water to the trays a couple days ago. Well at least I thought it was a couple days ago. It's back up to 40 now.

What do you all keep your incubator humidity at for your turkey eggs? Anyone go higher than 40? Anyone go lower than 40?

We keep our humidity between 45 and 55% during incubation and up it to at least 60% for hatch. So far we've had 100% hatch for the eggs that have made it to lock down. I don't think a few hours at lower humidity will make a difference though.

 

[1MrsMagoo]

My humidity dropped to 30 this morning in the incubator. That was quick because I just added water to the trays a couple days ago. Well at least I thought it was a couple days ago. It's back up to 40 now.

What do you all keep your incubator humidity at for your turkey eggs? Anyone go higher than 40? Anyone go lower than 40?

I usually dry incubate until lock down; unless the air cells increase to quickly, at which point I will add water. I trace the air cell with pencil and keep track of the expansion about every 4 days or so. If the humidity is lower than 30% and I see a large increase in the air cells, I add water and bring humidity up to the mid-40's.

Once I am ready for lock down, I move the eggs out of the forced air units and into the still air styrofoam bator where I hatch. Through much experimentation, I have found I have much less trouble with shrink wrapped babies without the fan.

When setting the incubator up, I place a couple layers of paper towels in the bottom (covering the entire bottom) under the wire. On top of the wire I put a layer of the foam shelf liner stuff: It is easier on the newborn's feet and makes cleaning a breeze.

Then, directly under the vent hole, I have a tall square glass dish (was part of a storage container set) that I fill with water. I keep a small funnel in that vent all the time, so filling it is easy and I don't spill water. I never seem to need the second plug in this particular incubator anyway.

To keep the humidity up where I want it, I use ankle socks with excessive holes and cut them into 1/2 strips from toe to ankle hem. I wet the strip then put it in the dish, leaving the hem corner hanging out a bit to create a wick effect. This slowly drips water onto the paper towels below. If I position the dish right, it will be over the tray areas in the bottom of the bator so it doesn't make a mess and weep water out the bottom.

During lock down, I keep the humidity higher than 65%, typically closer to the high 80's. So far, I have had 100% hatches of both the chicken and turkey eggs I have put in the bator this year: A total of 35 chicks and 7 (almost 8..one is pipped) turkey poults. Also, this seems to be the best system for hatching goose eggs (with the addition of misting and daily cool offs after the first week). Last year, I had much better results after I started using this combination: Every egg that made it to lock down hatched.

Good luck everyone.