Humidity %

[p54jes]

Help,
I have treated myself to a covina24 incubator but have no idea how to sort the humidity out and maintain it any ideas anyone??

Cheers
P54jes

[Poultrykeeper]

I'm not sure of your exact model but there should be a place to put water - the surface area of this effects the humidity. There should be a vent that allows more or less air through the incubator - this also effects humidity (change of air with fresh air).

Eggs need to breathe, so never completely shut off the air vent.

In most incubators, you fill one reservoir with water up to day 19, then add water to a second during the last high humidity / hatching phase. Fine adjustment is done with the air vent.

You will need an accurate way to measure humidity - if you have a little plastic dial - put it in the bin - I have tested many and they all read differently!

The best is to make or buy a wet bulb hygrometer - these are pretty cheap and accurate if the wick is kept clean.

Some more information on Setting up your incubator here.

Good luck and let us know how you get on of course!

[Snadger]

I didn't use any water until day 18! The humidity was fine. I did put a bowl of water next to the inccy though. The last few days I just kept replemishing a wet sponge!

[p54jes]

thanks both of you that has certainly helped , just one more thing what % will I be aiming for ??

Cheers
P54jes

[MaureenHall]

I managed to get up to 60% at the end of the hatching period by spraying (misting) the eggs and keeping a wet sponge in the incubator. If you read my panic posts at hatching time you'll see that I was almost frantic ............... but it all came right in the end

[Poultrykeeper]

I didn't use any water until day 18! The humidity was fine. I did put a bowl of water next to the inccy though. The last few days I just kept replemishing a wet sponge!

Yes, you are right Snadger, it's all relative. You're aiming for 45% RH so if the air is moist enough outside the incubator, you're ok although beware, it does change from different times of the year and from different locations so what works for one, may not work for someone else. Don't worry about small variations it's the average you're concerned about.

Ultimately, you're looking for a certain moisture loss (weight loss) from the eggs for propper development and the humidity suggested of 45% is right for most chickens eggs.

When you stop turning your eggs 2 days before the hatch, raise the humidity to 60% - this stops the membranes from drying out once the chicks have pipped through the shell

Good Luck!

Tim