What are the best ways to keep humidity in an incubator?

[L.L Farm]

I just got a brand new LG Still air incubator earlier today and its been plugged in , and for the past 2 hours if had it at a constant 99.5/100. The humidity is at 60% and the water rings are full, and I have a wet sponge in there as well. Is there something that I am doing wrong? And what is the ideal humidity percentage should I keep the incubator at for the process of chicken eggs? I'll be putting them in on the 19th.

 

[L.L Farm]

bump

 

[kscottjoyce]

I have had great luck with humidity at 40-50 percent humidity for the first 18 days. Then I add sponges to raise the humidity. Too high of humidity at the start of incubation doesn't allow the air sack to form correctly.

 

[Kbagwell1]

I have the exact same incubators as you, 3 to be exact. I use 2 for incubation and 1 for hatching. The 2 that I use for incubation...I never put water in. Just keep the temp at 99.5. The hatcher, I fill the slots with water (which you should do at day 18)...and occasionally add a soaked sponge!! I have great hatching ratios too! Hope this helps!!!

 

[kscottjoyce]

The air sack can be a sign of correct or incorrect humidity. Here's a link that shows the size it should be at what day. http://www.maransofamericaclub.com/incubation.php

 

[kscottjoyce]

Humidity also depends on where you live. If you live in a humid climate you may not need water in the incubator. If you live in a dry climate then you may need to add water. But I have never had success in hatching if the humidity is below 40 percent for the first 18 days. But that is just my experience, I think you need to find out what works best for you.

 

[L.L Farm]

I'm in Maine. So I would think that its pretty humid here? I just want to get everything right since I haven't hatched in a while and these are the first shipped eggs I've attempted to hatch

 

[MobyQuail]

I am in Florida, I like Dry Incubation and Egg carton hatching, I have an LG and a new Genesis. Had good luck with the dry incubation with the LG.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-DryIncubation.html

 

[Oregon Blues]

2 hours is not a lot of time to allow air to get saturated with moisture. I'd give it a bit longer before you think it isn't working.

 

[naakte]

different things work best for different people. I hatched serama eggs with my lil LG they were due to hatch may 7th, they didnt, I jacked that humidity up very very high 75 to 85 by using wet pampers. it steamed up both windows. and gingerly turned the LG down 2 degrees to a 97 degree.....may 8th four pipped and may 9 the 5th one pipped. That 5 out of 7 eggs going into lockdown.
all 5 seramas are doing well at 9 days old today... sooo tiny!!!!

Donna in branson

PS. I also used ONLY distilled water in the LG