What humidity should the incubator stay out throughout incubation?

[dusterbd]

I have a still air incubator but we bought the fan kit and the automatic egg turner. Our eggs will be hatching within the next 5 days but no matter how hard i try i cant get the humidity up above 35-39. I am pretty sure it needs to be atleast 80 three days before they hatch for easy egg cracking. I am positive they are growing fine just want them to be able to hatch easy as well. I would like to know for future references what it needs to stay at throughout the incubation process. Thank you!!!

 

[chichi56788]

It needs to be 65-70 for the last 3 days. You can mist inside the incubator to raise the humidity or put in sponges. I had a chick hatch with humidity at 30 but I dont recommend that because I was in a little humid hot room and I wasnt expecting the chick to hatch.

 

[TaLani]

This is just a general rule of thumb as to what I have listed below, some people may fluctuate a bit from what's stated below, but that's how I run mine per Tuffoldhen's recommendations to me.

Days 1 - 18 = 40-50%
Days 19 - 21 = 60-70%

 

[dusterbd]

what should the humidity be for the first 18 days of incubation? I will deffinately try the sponge and misting. Thanks maybe it will bring it up.

 

[dusterbd]

Thank you TaLani That will definately help for future hatching....

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

duster, what kind of hygrometer are you using?

Is it one with a probe? If so, you need to put the WHOLE hygrometer inside the incubator, not just the probe.

 

[dusterbd]

its one that I picked up at wal-mart. It reads the temp and humidity together. It is all the way in the incubator setting on top of the eggs under the window for easy viewing.

 

[pfmoore17]

Quote:
Those typically are inaccurate. At least 3 of mine were.

 

[justtoni44]

Hi,
I lost my first batch this year because I did not calibrate my hydrometer.........
When I did, it was way off.
I was told to mix, in a coffee cup, half a cup of salt, quarter cup of water..stir a little, does not need to disolve.
Put the cup and hydrometer in a zip lock bag, close and leave it. Some said for 8 tp 12 hrs.some said 24?
I do 12
Also. I cut a kitchen sponge, new of course, into three pieces and used this to bring humidity up. Works for me
and having the small pieces allows me some control.
It was also suggested to me to use a straw or syringe with flexible fish tank tubing to add water through the holes on top.

Good Luck,
You'll be fine this early in the hatch.....

 

[dusterbd]

Well I found out why it is hard for me to keep the humidity up. I just added water and noticed the floor was wet around the incubator shortly after. I will definately have to do the sponge to keep it up. Thank you all for your help....