What is the lowest humidity you have used to hatch quail?

[birdmandan]

I have been playing around with the dry hatch with great results lately (35% humidity and 70% at lockdown). However, towards the end of winter, I'm getting dry humidity at 10%. I'm afraid that is too low for a dry hatch. Has anyone had a successful hatch with ridiculously low humidity?

 

[JaeG]

I've never tried dry hatching - my humidity is usually around 40% for quail for the first stage of incubation. All I know is when our finches tried to hatch eggs during winter when we kept them indoors their eggs dried out (and so, died) before they were due to hatch. Our humidity indoors is low in winter as we tend to keep our fire going 24/7.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Sometimes, the amount of humidity you need depends on elevation. I'd add water, though.

Some people spray a mister on chicken and duck eggs, which removes the blume and makes the egg dependent on that water-because it messes up the pores-but it may help fix anything that's gone wrong here.

I personally love broody hens. They relegate the humidity for you.

And the worst problem I ever had from too little humidity was a twisted leg and some rather shrink-wrapped chicks. I think it was 20% though.

 

[feedman77]

If you think the humidity is to low for you to have a successful hatch you can always add a little water during incubation to maintain the levels you want.

It usually doesn't take much water to increase the levels.

I heat with wood all winter. I figure when I walk on the carpet and everything gives a shock it's to dry.

17 to 20 is the lowest I've had and still got a decent hatch. But most of these eggs I'm hatching during this time of year are shipped.

My best resuls are with the humidity at around 35 percent.

 

[birdmandan]

Feedman. You are right. This study indicates that 35% humidity would result in around an 80% hatch rate. At 75% humidity, you can still expect a 70% hatch rate. Humidity overall does not play a major role in hatchability. Keeping a consistant temperature is more important. Also sourcing quailty eggs. http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd21/3/roma21038.htm

 

[LunarRabbitt]

I learned along time ago that I can't hatch eggs with water/humidity. If I dry hatch, I seem to have wonderful hatch rates, add a drop of water and all mine die in the shell. I don't know why. I just know it is. so I dry hatch all my poultry.

 

[BaJa]

10% is way to low! I've hatched bobwhite quail with 60% and raised it to 75 last three days. jap quail need about 35 - 45!

 

[birdmandan]

I'm having a hell of a time with getting good humidity with my rubbish incubator. I incubated at 70% humidity for the entire hatch. Will let you guys know the results.

 

[feedman77]

I usually dry incubate. But I have a run of quail eggs in now.

Kept humidity at 70 percent for 1st 7 days. Then removed water and went back to 30 percent for 2nd portion of incubation.

Just started this week with that.

So I will see if this helps my rate for the better or worse.
Was a batch that wasn't planning on hatching but did when person that was gonna take them backed out

 

[dpenning]

I set some eggs two weeks ago, first week, kept it at 40%ish, then left town for a week. Just got home and it was at 23%. I just candled and pulled out a few non-starters and a few early quitters. I added water and put them into lock down. It will be interesting to see what I get.