The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: The Woodsiders on August 04, 2012, 01:42:16 pm
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I would appreciate some advice on hatching chicken eggs, could anyone give me an idea of how much water to put in the bottom of the incubator and how do I measure the humidity required, this is my first attempt and would really like it to work.
Thanks in advance
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My incubator has two wells in the bottom. I don't put any water in until day 18 and then I drape a j-cloth in the two wells and fill with warm water and a dash of steriliser. This takes the humidity up to 60-70% which I read with a cheap hygrometer that I bought on-line.
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I give the eggs a spray twice a day, spraying a bit more heavily from 3 days before hatching. Been doing this for about 40 years and always have a good hatch.
I think I go on instinct. Feel under the wings of a broody hen a few times and you will know what the incubator should feel like :)
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I do as Kegs does.
I bought a cheap temperature and humidity digital meter, which I check the humidity with and use in my brooder later to check the temperature.
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Your approach depends on where your incubator is Markcott. In an old house the humidity in the air is sufficient for the first 18 days and the unit can be run 'dry'. If its a newer property you add a water reservoir to raise the humidity to 30-35%. After day 18 (count first day as day zero) turning three times a day stops and humidity rises to 60%. This either means adding a water reservoir or a second water reservoir. As Jaykay says a humidity meter helps. The more accurate the better. The thermometer must be extremely accurate -within 0.5 degrees is poor. That's accuracy not the display figure, which may be to 0.1 degrees and wrong. We use a clinical mercury thermometer -bought from the chemist.