what about humidity?

[hotredz]

we have borrowed an incubator from our neighbours but it doesn't have a humidity gauge or fan, the heat has been consistent, how bad is this for our peeps? I have a dish of water that i have been keeping full of water for humidity?

 

[mediazeal]

Humidity is a greatly discussed issue.
This is a great thread on it with tons of great info
I read the entire thing when I was last incubating and it really helped me make good descisions
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=113681&p=1

You can get a digital humidity and temp display at walmart for about $8
Search for the threads on how to calibrate it as well
Good luck

 

[Ruditchka]

I didn't use a hygrometer a few years back and just had a pan of water the whole time under the eggs, changing nothing for the full 21 days and had a great hatch..., maybe 75%, I don't remember exactly though! If you don't measure humidity it doesn't mean you'll have a failed hatch, possibly a lower rate though if window of humidity range is way off. Good Luck!

 

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

I highly recommend you put on a pot of coffee and read that Hoss of a thread that mediazeal linked you to, and then go get a hygrometer.

It will save you a lot of heartache.

I was having hatch rates of 8-14% before reading that thread, then two consecutive 90% hatches after reading it.