What is correct temp & humidity for incubating? I read diff things?

[Smokin Silkies]

I am going to incubate silkie chicken eggs, about 2 dozen. I have read on the internet several things. Im not sure what to do? I have read that you should never go 1* higher or lower than the temp. I read it should be 99.5, 100, 102. The same with humidity. Ive seen anywhere from 50% for 18 days, then 70-80 after that.....to......60-65% for 18, then 80-85% for last 3 days. Thats a big jump isnt it? I know temp is critical but Im not sure which websites to go by? Can somebody help me get a more accurate temp? This is my first time hatching and I am terrified of doing something wrong and damaging the eggs. Thank you for any and all advice!

 

[gabrielle1976]

I have a little giant still air without turner and a home made.
I do 40-45% humidity for the first 18 days and 60+ for the last days.
I have my little giant set for about 100-101 but most people say 101-102 for still air. With a fan its sapose to be 99.5-100

What kind of bator do you have

 

[DutchChicky]

There are some differences in what people believe are the right numbers. Most though will say , humidity between 35-45% the first 18 days, after you take them of the turner or stop hand turning at day 18 you bring the humidity up to 65-75%. The temp your correct in , still air. If you have a bator with fan t 99.5 degrees is the magic number. That is what I try to keep myself by when hatching and have pretty good succes.
Good luck and welcome to the MADNESS!!!!

 

[jonty]

I use 37.5°C for temp the whole time and humidity of 43% for first 18 days then up to 62% Seems to work for me.

 

[Farmer Brown]

Make sure you read the stickies at the top of the index of this section there is tons of info. I think there is an agreed upon temp. of around 99.5 that is what our 1588 genesis is pre set for. As you stated there are a wide variety of opinions about humidity with success stories to back up each opinion. You will have to decide for yourself what to do with the humidity. We are incubating for the first time right now using some OEG bantam eggs from our girls, we figure if it's a bust we aren't out anything egg wise. We are going to figure out what temp. and humidity works for us before we spend any money on eggs. We just candled our 13 eggs on day 10 and 6 are developing

temp. is 99.5 and humidity is 34%-38% so we will see how this works. Good luck! After you hatch those silkies you won't have much need for the bator anyway you will have a yard full of fluffy bators!

 

[Smokin Silkies]

Thanks everyone! I have a little giant still air with egg turner. Eggs arrived today and are settling right now. I will put them in the incubator tonight. Temp is just about adjusted. I hope everything goes well.

 

[pam]

How does one adjust the humidty? I am on batch 3 with no success with my LG. Super bummed!

 

[Nmarine1057]

My bator is sitting at 100 deg and 41% humidity right now no eggs yet I'm waiting on my rooster to mature, I'm just getting used to using an incubator just in case the hen doesn't go broody.

 

[jenniferqui72]

i had 21 eggs in my lg still air 1 exploded {gross} 6 not fertile only 5 hatched