What should the humidity be while incubating chicken eggs?

[cmom]

These incubators are sold under a couple different names. I have seen them before but never used one.

 

[Mosey2003]

I hope you didn't throw out the packaging yet, OP. Those incubators are meant to be ran with the styrofoam packing still on the bottom. It often has holes already that line up with the little hole on the front. Plastic does not hold heat well on its own.

 

[Chloe+chickens=LOVE]

These incubators are sold under a couple different names. I have seen them before but never used one.
View attachment 1625580

That's the type I have but it holds 56 eggs and the top is green.

 

[Chloe+chickens=LOVE]

I hope you didn't throw out the packaging yet, OP. Those incubators are meant to be ran with the styrofoam packing still on the bottom. It often has holes already that line up with the little hole on the front. Plastic does not hold heat well on its own.

Sadly we threw it out the other day

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Sadly we threw it out the other day

NO!!!! Hahaha.... why oh why? It fits soo perfectly onto your incubator and acts as a jacket for it to keep temperatures more stable. You COULD also get a towel and wrap it around if you like, should help a bit or just run it without I don't know, should be fine since I've heard these incubators can be successful. BTW, you should pick up an additional temp/hygrometer so you can calibrate your incubator, they are only about $10 at your local Walmart or you can order online.

 

[Mosey2003]

They ought to print it in large letters on the outside of the box that you need to save the styrofoam. I don't think they even state it in the "instruction" manual, either, yet it's clearly meant to be used because it's usually made in a way to line up with holes, etc. Of course, what do we expect from China? *sigh*

 

[aart]

Always good to test your therms and hygros before beginning an incubation!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...incubator-thermometers-and-hygrometers.73634/

 

[OasiVerde]

I am on day 7. I have a Hova Bator 1602N thermal air with automatic egg turner. It came with a thermometer and hygrometer. According to the instructions I should keep humidity at 45-55% up to 3 days before hatch. When I am reading others posts this could be to high. How do you determine the best humidity for your incubator?

 

[Mosey2003]

I am on day 7. I have a Hova Bator 1602N thermal air with automatic egg turner. It came with a thermometer and hygrometer. According to the instructions I should keep humidity at 45-55% up to 3 days before hatch. When I am reading others posts this could be to high. How do you determine the best humidity for your incubator?

You have to make a decision. A lot of folks (most of them on this forum) prefer "dry hatching" which can range, typically staying around 40% I think. All of the university resources recommend 50-55% from what I've read. That's what I aim for. Some have only ever done "dry," some end up doing it that way from trial and error and for whatever reason, it ends up working out the best. If it's your first time, I highly suggest aiming for 50% and then upping to 65% the last three days.

 

[OasiVerde]

You have to make a decision. A lot of folks (most of them on this forum) prefer "dry hatching" which can range, typically staying around 40% I think. All of the university resources recommend 50-55% from what I've read. That's what I aim for. Some have only ever done "dry," some end up doing it that way from trial and error and for whatever reason, it ends up working out the best. If it's your first time, I highly suggest aiming for 50% and then upping to 65% the last three days.

@Mosey2003 Thank you so much for your information. I am relieved that my humidity is not too high. I will follow your advise and keep it the way I have it right now (I just added water yesterday, so it is 54% at the moment. I will try to keep it at 50% until day 19.