10
STEP 4: SETTING INCUBATOR HUMIDITY
(This will take 1 to 2 hours)
You can start adjusting humidity once the incubator has
been running at a temperature of
99.5°F
for an
at least
1 hour
.
The main way in which to change humidity on your
incubator/hatcher is to adjust the
Humidity Control Air
Vent
on the front of the incubator.
(Slide this plastic
vent up or down to open or close the vents).
****The more open the vent is, the less the humidity
will be. The less open, the higher the humidity will
be.
Never close the humidity control air vents completely
– it’s always good to keep them slightly open to
assist in sufficient air exchanges for the eggs.
There are two water containers in your incubator. Depending on your humidity levels you may
choose to remove one of them to decrease humidity.
During incubation, water vapor is lost from the egg through the pores of the shell. The rate at which
this moisture is lost depends on the number and size of the pores (the gas conductance of the shell)
and the humidity in the air around the egg. For best hatchability, an egg must lose 12% of its weight
by 18 days of incubation.
HUMIDITY SETTINGS (IDEAL = 50% to 65%)
Humidity % is determined by the surface area of the water container/ pan and the amount of fresh air exchange in the incubator.
You can regulate humidity % by decreasing or increasing the SURFACE AREA of the water and by regulating the fresh air that
comes into the incubator
The ideal humidity % for incubation is between 50% and 65%
T
O
I
NCREASE
H
UMIDITY
%
1) Fill water container/pan with WARM WATER
2) Adjust the HUMIDITY CONTROL AIR VENT in the front of the incubator to a LESS OPEN/ MORE CLOSED position
If the above two steps fail to increase humidity, do the following in addition to the above:
3) Place water pans and humidifier in the room where the incubator is standing to increase room humidity
T
O
D
ECREASE
H
UMIDITY
%
1) Adjust the AIR VENT in front to a MORE OPEN / LESS CLOSED position
2) Remove one of the water containers
If the above two steps fail to decrease humidity, do the following:
3) Remove both water containers completely (Only in very humid / wet areas)
4) Place a dehumidifier in the room (Only in very humid / wet areas)
After you are satisfied with the temperature and humidity you may place the eggs in the incubator
