Apparently low humidity isnt a bad thing for the first 18 days?

[CluckEmUp]

Hey again, just starting out with everything here and have set up my empty computer case as incubator.

My temperature levels are perfect at stable 37.5 celcius (99.5 fahrenheit), but the humidity seems too low at only 40%, then I added a wet sponge and only jumped to 46%, so gonna have to check whats up with that (im using 2 different temperature/humidity meters and both show the same values). Anyways I first read here that humidity should be 50-55% and something like 70-75% for the last 3 days, so I was worried.

However I found a blog post that actually says dry incubating has better hatch results. Apparently what they do is not add any water at all, keep humidity even as low as 15% and only increase it to 70-75% at the last 3 days. Somehow this works better?

Thoughts about this? I'm gonna keep my humidity levels where its at now (40% +/-), maybe buy another meter to make sure, but it sounds like there shouldnt be much to worry if humidity is low, and only the last 3 days are vital

If I can post links, this is where I read it: https://www.muranochickenfarm.com/2018/03/dry-incubation.html

 

[nuthatched]

Many people here dry hatch, they usually turn out fine.

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

I’m trying my first batch of chicken eggs for a friend
I’m dry hatching hers
No water and humidity is reading 30% with my calibrated hygrometer
I won’t add water till day 18

With my ducks I do add a little water and kept humidity around 40-45 % until lockdown
I do get great hatch rates with my ducks

 

[wrathsfarm]

I've found quite a few opinions that run 'dry incubation' under 30% especially for the darker eggs of Marans. I've read the slightly thicker shells and/or darker pigment retains more humidity requiring less for incubating. Also read that some bump the temp up to 100-100.5 also.
I think I worded that correctly, I'm new to all this, myself.
I've got my incubator set right now hovering at 100 and 25-30% for my Marans eggs, so hoping it goes well for my first official hatch.
Good luck with your computer case design. Would like to see pics if you care to share..

 

[Debbie292d]

I've heard of many folks successfully dry-hatching. I just stick with traditional.

 

[Somshine]

Hey again, just starting out with everything here and have set up my empty computer case as incubator.

My temperature levels are perfect at stable 37.5 celcius (99.5 fahrenheit), but the humidity seems too low at only 40%, then I added a wet sponge and only jumped to 46%, so gonna have to check whats up with that (im using 2 different temperature/humidity meters and both show the same values). Anyways I first read here that humidity should be 50-55% and something like 70-75% for the last 3 days, so I was worried.

However I found a blog post that actually says dry incubating has better hatch results. Apparently what they do is not add any water at all, keep humidity even as low as 15% and only increase it to 70-75% at the last 3 days. Somehow this works better?

Thoughts about this? I'm gonna keep my humidity levels where its at now (40% +/-), maybe buy another meter to make sure, but it sounds like there shouldnt be much to worry if humidity is low, and only the last 3 days are vital

If I can post links, this is where I read it: https://www.muranochickenfarm.com/2018/03/dry-incubation.html

I tried it and got a lower hatch rate. Mine does best averaging 45/47ish. I think porus eggs, the incubator you're using and your ambient air in your house matters too. What works for one does not work for all so you'll have to figure out what works best for you.

 

[TOR]

I have not hatched in awhile, but I dry hatch, just watch the air cell.

 

[JLC]

Ok here’s my take. I have only hatched for the past 4 years and have read as much as possible not wanting to do harm and have a good hatch rate.

I experimented and came to some interesting conclusions although not scientific by any means.

I tried dry and wet. My hatch rates were low with dry and I did it by the book. My hatch rate (wet) is pretty high 10 out of 12 but here’s why I believe.

I really believe the room in which you have the eggs determines a lot. I put them in a brightly lit room for 16-18 hours a day. Most I got was 3/12. Next a room where I controlled the light 8 hours being brightly lit. Hatch rate went up to 5/12. The highest rate was my laundry room and has been. The door is closed and the room is dark except for maybe a few minutes when I put a load in the washer. Most of the time light comes into that room when I open the door because the front door is directly in front of it (split entry) and I don’t need electricity to see.

I have switched back forth multiple times with pretty much the same results. It’s my belief that the darkness mimics what the hen does( keeps the eggs in darkness ) only getting off the eggs when she eats or poops. The temperature and humidity are always the same in any room. 99 temp 40-45 humidity cranking it up from day 18 until hatch.

Call me crazy but the results make me wonder. I have only used Buff Orpington for incubation. Use to have broody hens but nothing the last 3–5 years.

 

[Eggs_Over_EZ]

In the past I did not k on about “dry” hatching. I tried the last 21 days. First 18 days. It water temp 99.5-99.7 and humidity 23% - 30%. Day 18 added water in the first of two chambers (Maticoopx 30). Got the humidity up to around 50%. When hatching started the humidity would jump up into 60 to
as high as 79.9%. Never remained in that range, only when chicks were pipping and zipping and finally hatching. Had a 69% hatch rate, 83% if you do not count the quiter well before lockdown. Some things I believe matters is where you live. If you live in a dryer climate it may not be the same. Living in the south humidity is our next door neighbor.

 

[Ridgeback825]

From my experience, the humidity controls how large the air sac gets. So, I dry hatch and then raise it to max about 75% when they pip. If you can't get the humidity up, that means you are exchanging too much air and losing the humidity. I hope this helps but you are more MacGyver than me!

Nathan