Setting Up Your Incubator

County Lodge · **Posted:** Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:00 pm

So what is the correct humidity for hatching chickens. I have read 40% for the first 17 days and 55% for the last 3-4 days.

Another source I have says 58-63% during incubation and 65-70% during hatching (last 3 days).

Does anyone know what is is correct in SE Qld :?:

greenaus · **Posted:** Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:48 pm

County Lodge wrote:

I have read 40% for the first 17 days and 55% for the last 3-4 days.

Another source I have says 58-63% during incubation and 65-70% during hatching (last 3 days).

Gee, what a really difficult topic...

When I started I thought I too had heard 45%. Soon, I found out it was supposed to be 60%.

To my knowledge it is supposed to be...
~ 60% day 1-18, then at least 80%, particularly during hatching.

Different again from the two bits of info you'd sourced, and still open to debate.

Peter16 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:55 pm

After reading all this,
A broody seems soooooo much easier

greenaus · **Posted:** Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:07 pm

You may be on to something. :idea:

Except, County Lodge and I are new to incubating. Once we get the hang of it, we'll be the ones answering questions instead of asking them.

We're just a little out of our depth right now, but that doesn't mean we're not having a great time. :lol:

Peter16 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:09 pm

by the time i am incubating or using a broody, you guys will be answering my questions, You will get perfect it in no time

County Lodge · **Posted:** Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:45 pm

Well I rang Bellsouth today and he told me to recalibrate the humidity which I have done so now at least my incubator humidity indicator reads the same as my hygrometer inside the unit.

Jim said the humidity will depend on the size of the airsack in the egg at 17day :shock:

And It may take me a coule of goes to get it right. :shock:

Lets hope I have it somewhere right if I set it at about 60% for the first 16days and up the anti for the last 3 days. My first hatch will be pekin bantam eggs. :-D

Kylie · **Posted:** Mon Mar 03, 2008 5:15 pm

Peter16 wrote:

After reading all this,
A broody seems soooooo much easier

Thats my thoughts to Peter, but you just can't guarente (spelling) a broody when you really want one.

I'm still looking for the deal of the century on a good used bator..