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What happens to chicks when the incubation humidity is too low?

Discussion in 'Incubating & Hatching Eggs' started by Kittcat, May 19, 2017.

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  1. May 19, 2017 #1
    Kittcat

    Kittcat Out Of The Brooder

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    I know that if you incubate at too high a humidity that they can drown in the shell, but what happens if it's too low? I live in a very dry climate where the humidity is often down to 15% (I add water to my bator so it's higher in there!!) so I was wondering what I would see doing eggtopsies after incubating at such a low humidity?
     
  3. May 19, 2017 #2
    PD-Riverman

    PD-Riverman Overrun With Chickens

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    Shrinked wrapped chicks probably?? I would suggest to not do that. A lot of people do dry incubate but if its that low in the incubator I would Add a small container or cover part of a water trough in the bottom, BUT when it comes lock-down time----Increase the Humidity a lot!!
     
    AmyLynn2374 likes this.
  5. May 20, 2017 #3
    AmyLynn2374

    AmyLynn2374 Humidity Queen

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    Higher occurances of shrink wrapped and/or dehydrated chicks. The beginning of the season my bator runs about 16% dry, I add a wet sponge to bring it up around the 30% mark. I raise to 70-75% for hatch.
     
    PD-Riverman likes this.

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