I spent about 1/2 a day with Brad Legg about a month ago and brought up the subject of curled toes and if he experienced this as well. He asked which way the toes were curled,inwards or outwards, I said inwards.He informed me this is caused by too low of humidity in incubating the eggs. I then told him I set mine at 40-45% for the first 20 days,then raise it during the last 3-4. He said that 50% rh the entire first part of incubating is "acceptable" but still could be higher and much higher towards the last few days. I've experienced curled toes every year using the 40-45% humidity levels.
I'm not in a position this year to babysit curled toed peachicks for a few days until they are straight.So since my first eggs was put inside my incubator about 19 days ago, I've maintained no less than 50% humidity AND will increase to 60% the last few days.I am in the process of building a completely redesigned hatcher built especially for my particular hatching needs.I'm going to keep track of curled toed chicks and compare them to last years numbers to see if this helps.
