Do drastic changes in humidity, as long as they're in the recommended range, affect hatching?

[birdcult]

I just put my bantam silkie eggs into lockdown, and a minute ago they were at 62% humidity and now it's raised to 72%, still in the recommended range from what I've read. I plan on keeping it at 72% humidity. Will the drastic change affect hatching?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

No, you're good. The only problem with hatching at that high of humidity is if it suddenly falls below 65-70% all chicks will be stuck to shell.

Once the humidity is that high then lowers the inside of shell becomes a paste. Keep humidity high and all is well. If you hatch lower than 65-70% it's not a problem. Personally I incubate low (30-35%) and hatch high humidity.

 

[TwoCrows]

The humidity will fluctuate anytime you open the incubator but as long as it stays within the general parameters of lockdown percentages, you are good. I personally think 72% is a tad high, any higher and they can drown. I'd try keep the humidity between 60% and 70%. When the window gets all steamed up, its good inside the machine. It shouldn't be dripping or raining inside. And remember, once they start pipping, do not open the machine. So get it all set on the first day of lockdown and leave everything alone until they have all hatched.

Good luck!

 

[Egghead_Jr]

If you have condensation on the window the humidity is over 80%.

People should calibrate their hygrometers then when we all talk about humidity we are on the same page not the page of a person's random numbers.

 

[birdcult]

If you have condensation on the window the humidity is over 80%.

People should calibrate their hygrometers then when we all talk about humidity we are on the same page not the page of a person's random numbers.

I'm in Florida, humidity is high here. Condensation hasn't formed yet, but I'll keep you updated

 

[birdcult]

The humidity will fluctuate anytime you open the incubator but as long as it stays within the general parameters of lockdown percentages, you are good. I personally think 72% is a tad high, any higher and they can drown. I'd try keep the humidity between 60% and 70%. When the window gets all steamed up, its good inside the machine. It shouldn't be dripping or raining inside. And remember, once they start pipping, do not open the machine. So get it all set on the first day of lockdown and leave everything alone until they have all hatched.

Good luck!

Thanks! I'm gonna let the humidity get a bit lower, the eggs are due to hatch around the 21st or so, no pipping yet but I'm not going to open the incubator 'till they hatch.

 

[TwoCrows]

Thanks! I'm gonna let the humidity get a bit lower, the eggs are due to hatch around the 21st or so, no pipping yet but I'm not going to open the incubator 'till they hatch.

Great! Keep us posted on your hatch!

 

[birdcult]

Great! Keep us posted on your hatch!

It's nearing the end of hatch day, and I'm hearing chirps and seeing the eggs shaking, but no pips yet. One egg that I'm worried could explode has yellow dots on it along with being the only egg to sweat. No dew is forming otherwise. I couldn't manage to get the humidity lower than 70%, so I'm just remaining cautious while keeping it at 70%. Since all of these issues I believe have been due to equipment issues, I'm probably going to upgrade to a higher quality incubator afterwards.

 

[TwoCrows]

It's nearing the end of hatch day, and I'm hearing chirps and seeing the eggs shaking, but no pips yet. One egg that I'm worried could explode has yellow dots on it along with being the only egg to sweat. No dew is forming otherwise. I couldn't manage to get the humidity lower than 70%, so I'm just remaining cautious while keeping it at 70%. Since all of these issues I believe have been due to equipment issues, I'm probably going to upgrade to a higher quality incubator afterwards.

Chirping is good! They should be pipping soon, 21 days is not written in stone. 70% is fine, they should hatch without any issues. Since there is no pipping yet, if you are quick, you can remove the dead egg, just make it quick and smooth.

Does your machine have a no slip bottom so the hatching chicks don't slip around? I usually use that rubber shelf liner with the little holes on the floor of the machine.

Keep us posted on the hatch!

 

[birdcult]

Chirping is good! They should be pipping soon, 21 days is not written in stone. 70% is fine, they should hatch without any issues. Since there is no pipping yet, if you are quick, you can remove the dead egg, just make it quick and smooth.

Does your machine have a no slip bottom so the hatching chicks don't slip around? I usually use that rubber shelf liner with the little holes on the floor of the machine.

Keep us posted on the hatch!

As soon as I got the notification for your reply, one had just pipped! I don't know if the incubator I got has a no slip bottom, I have a KEBONNIXS 12 Egg Incubator. How much of a threat will the egg be from now until 24 hours after the first chick hatches?