Why Humidity matters

[twigg]

Ok ....

Last few days have seen a great many questions about humidity, and what constitutes good management.

I am re-posting this, and hope it helps a a few folk:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=44622

 

[twigg]

Shameless BUMP

Due to the massive interest in humidity today

 

[Mahonri]

This was a good thing to bring back up. Wish I'd read it a little better a few weeks ago.

I'm keeping my humidity at 40+ until day 17 and then I'll run it up to 70%.

 

[chickengirl124]

is it bad if there isn't any water in my incubator even though 1 has hatched and 2 are cracking?

 

[twigg]

Quote:
It isn't whether or not there is water that matters, it's the Relative Humidity that counts.

If the local weatherman just said Humidity was 40% at the current outside temp, and you heated that air to 99.5F, then the RH in the incubator could be as low as 5%.

On the other hand, it might not be that bad, but water is usually needed.

During the first 18 days, the eggs need to lose weight. After this they do not, but the chicks need soft membranes to be able to pip internally, and then turn in the shell to get out.

If those membranes dry out, the chick gets stuck and can't hatch.

If you completely ignore humidity, and live in a generally damp place, about half will hatch anyway. If you are in Arizona in the winter, they all will struggle.

Best thing to do is measure the RH, and add water if necessary.

 

[twigg]

Quote:
Doing that, and good eggs, just got me two 100% hatches

 

[mahen8622]

im new at hatching and thats exactly what happened with my first batch of chicks they grew perfectly and then the humidity was off and the membrane got sticky and they couldnt get out when i cracked the eggs to investigate a few days later it was sad they were a lil deformed from being stuck in there poor lil thing i plan on not EVEr making that mistake again!