Water or no water in the incubator

[Mwilliams32931]

I need some opinions. I am putting my first batch in the incubator today. I have read where some people use water and some people just mist them. I am new to all this so any and all help would be appreciated.

 

[ccgamebirds]

I would recommend water pan, maybe with a sponge standing up in it if you have room. I think the best humidity is around 60-65%.

 

[TwoCrows]

If you live in a very humid area, you can do a "dry hatch", not adding much water to the incubator, and mist the eggs. If you live in an arid environment, you will need to add water to the incubator. A certain amount of moisture is needed for the egg to lose the proper amount of weight for the growing embryo. Not enough humidity, and the liquid inside the egg disappears too fast, dehydrating the chick. Too much humidity and not enough moisture is lost for the air cell to develop.

 

[tcmstalcup]

The post above me is sooo correct. Have read about dry hatches but they record higher humidity than I ever could in the arid regions of Texas. I must add water to get a hatch. Best for me is about 50% until last two days then up to about 65%. You will get varied opinions on that. I would go with the one you can get closest to your geographic area. It really is amazing a broody hen gets all this right. I tell the kids-an angel tells them how to do it since they aren't real smart!!

 

[TwoCrows]

The post above me is sooo correct. Have read about dry hatches but they record higher humidity than I ever could in the arid regions of Texas. I must add water to get a hatch. Best for me is about 50% until last two days then up to about 65%. You will get varied opinions on that. I would go with the one you can get closest to your geographic area. It really is amazing a broody hen gets all this right. I tell the kids-an angel tells them how to do it since they aren't real smart!!

It is amazing how nature does it, isn't it? I have several wild bird houses out around the yard for the Bluebirds to nest in. And I have seen on many occasions, the females will come to the bird bath and completely soak their brood patches, and drenched dripping in water, they fly back to the nest box to continue incubation, adding humidity to the eggs. Interesting.

 

[Mwilliams32931]

I live in Florida so it sounds like a can go with a dry hatch. I think I will invest in a humidity sensor though so I can keep an eye on that. I'm so nervous about this first hatch and I want to do everything right.

 

[Mamachick816]

I like to handle my pets... Be a part of the entire experience. I am incubating eggs now too, and I have found, that just getting my hands wet once a day and turning them while my hands are wet, is enough moisture for the eggs. Good luck.

 

[Bitterroot]

Keep track of the weight of your eggs, that's the best way to tell how much humidity you should be using. I'm in an area 3300' above sea level and pretty darn dry, yet doing a "dry" incubation at 20-30% humidity has been keeping my eggs right on track weight-wise.

 

[Mwilliams32931]

How much should they weigh?

 

[TwoCrows]

Every species of quail is different in the growth weight during incubation. You can keep track of the weight of the eggs daily as a monitor of how large the chick is growing or how much moisture is being lost from the egg.

I personally don't keep track of the moisture loss this way. Just by watching (candling) the air chambers growth at the top of the egg will tell you if your humidity is on track. Here is a good example of how you want the air chamber to look along the way...(this is a chicken egg for example)

If this air cell is growing too fast, then I know my humidity is too low. If it is not growing fast enough, then I know to lower my humidity level in the incubator.