Humidity Help Please

S

smudger28

New member
Joined
May 31, 2012
Messages
58
Reaction score
0
Hi guys

This is my first time of posting and first time of hatching some chicks (Rhode Islands).

I'm looking for some advice about using the Corti 24 semi automatic.

1. Do I need to fill the reservoirs or can I run it dry until day 18?

2. I have no instructions so which way do you turn the temp screw to increase temp?

3. What is the best temp/humidity for this incubator (as it's Italian)?

Thanks guys I'm looking forward to hatching my first chicks fingers crossed!

Thank you

Paul
 
I have used a Corti 25 and a Corti 50 for some time and found it best to run them dry which gives me no more than 30% humidity at the normal running temp. I only increase the humidity to around 60% when the eggs start to chip, not day 18. Usually only the front reservoir is needed as it's easy to get the humidity up. Take out one of the little knobs on the top (some come out quite easily) for ventilation. They are easily lost !

To increase the temp. turn the screw clockwise. Fiddle before you put the eggs in then leave alone but it's probably set OK.

I worked this out after several 'wetter' attempts as per the instructions when I only had poor to moderate results. Much depends on where the incubator is situated and a cool room with a stable temperature is what to aim for.

I must emphasise, that my own experience in achieving a successful hatch differed a lot from when sticking to the official instructions. I now use the 50 as a hatcher as I have a cabinet incubator and in that capacity it is very good.

How often do you intend turning ? I only ever did it twice a day.
 
Hi Chuck

Thanks for the reply. How many knobs for ventilation would you take out normally?

I've got the temp working correctly now.

I only intend turning twice a day too as I work 12 hour shifts so I will turn every 12 hours. Hopefully the boss may turn them a bit for me....

Thanks for your advice!

Paul
 
I just take one out when they start to chip, more than that and it will be hard to keep the humidity up. Had to work this out from some casual remark that was made as there is no mention of vents in the instructions.
 
Hi Chuck

I have just received 12 eggs in the post. Half a dozen from 2 different suppliers as I want to try to get myself a breeding trio or more!

I will also have 12 from my friend next door so I have a good mix.

I'm thinking how on earth do you determine which chicks are which? I have bought x2 different coloured chick rings but the snag will be keeping them separate on hatching. I'm thinking of dividing the incy into 3 sections on day 18 with some homemade plastic dividers. What do you think? That way I can guarantee the different chicks.

Also what thermometer do you use? I have 3 in there at the moment x2 digital x1 mercury and they are all reading different?

Cheers

Paul
 
Hi Guys

I have a Corti 24 which I plan to put 20+ Rhode Island Red eggs in tomorrow.

I have a stable temp now between 37 - 37.5 (hard to tell with my bulb therm) but my starting humidity dry was 20%. So as this is my first time I wanted to set the incy up correctly. I filled up one of the two reservoirs and the humidity is fluctuating between 46% - 53% with all 6 vents removed.

Will this be fine to add eggs or should I try to lower the humidity a bit more? The question is how to I lower it now?

Thank you

Paul

Ps using a digital hygrometer which has a temp accuracy of +- 1 deg and humidity +- 5%
 
Hi, i personally think the humidity is too high to start, so maybe run the incubator dry to start with and add water in the 3 days. I no some people do this anyway. It should only be around 55 on hatch day.
 
You can divide the incubator as you suggest but make sure the divisions are high enough or the chicks can jump over within a couple of hours of hatching !
If the mercury thermometer is good quality, I'd go by that one. The digitals do vary a bit more.
 
When you put eggs into a incubator running dry ie: no water has been added, the humidity will rise slightly naturally from the moisture evaporating from your eggs.
Can you remove the water from the reservoir? Then leave the incubator running for a bit before adding your hatching eggs. If it is a little high in the early days, I don't think this will affect the hatchability of your eggs, at this early stage, the embryo is delicate, but more important to handle gently (less is better!) and have the correct temperature.
Check the humidity settles a few days after adding the eggs, you may need just a small amount every few days to keep humidity running at around 30%. This will depend largely on your incubator, temp and the relative humidity.
 
You already asked these questions and have done something completely different to the answers I gave you which were specifically geared to a Corti. You've now had two more answers similar to the one I gave you but you need to sort out what you are going to do before you put the eggs in.
 
Chuck said:
You already asked these questions and have done something completely different to the answers I gave you which were specifically geared to a Corti. You've now had two more answers similar to the one I gave you but you need to sort out what you are going to do before you put the eggs in.
Click to expand...

Hi Chuck

I apologise! I followed your instructions to the letter. I only achieved 20% humidity and naturally panicked after you said run it dry for 30%.

The temperature has been stable now for 48 hours it's just the humidity. Would it be ok to run it dry @ 20% for the first 18 days?

I will definately divide the incy so the chicks can't mix.

I'm sorry again if appeared to have ignored your advice. It's my first time and I want to get it right!

Thanks Chuck
 
foxy said:
Can you remove the water from the reservoir? Then leave the incubator running for a bit before adding your hatching eggs. If it is a little high in the early days, I don't think this will affect the hatchability of your eggs, at this early stage, the embryo is delicate, but more important to handle gently (less is better!) and have the correct temperature.
Check the humidity settles a few days after adding the eggs, you may need just a small amount every few days to keep humidity running at around 30%. This will depend largely on your incubator, temp and the relative humidity.
Click to expand...

Hi Foxy thanks for the reply!

I can remove the water no problem from the reservoir! I just can't seem to hit the magic number of 30%. It looks like I will probably delay setting the eggs another 24 hours until I sort this out.

I want to follow Chucks advice and run it dry as there is no need to tinker as much. Problem is I only get 20% running it dry. I'm hoping Chuck will reply and say he has had success @ 20% as he has the same incubator.

Cheers
 
My concern is that you seemed to be getting things so mixed up, it was not going to work for you.

The knobs on the top - just take out one when they start to chip.

Humidity - if you leave the knobs in place and run with none or just a little water, you will heep the humidity more stable. Around 30% is good to ain for but don't get hung up on it. The instructions did not mention the knobs on the top or ventilation, this is some advice that I was given and it seemed to work. The biggest problem with these incubators is that it is too easy to raise the humidity !

I found that increasing the humidity on day 18 didn't work well and although the chicks inside were well developed they were dead in shell. Holding off the increase till the eggs chipped, had the best results.

The aim is to set the working temp and humidity up before setting the eggs so there is no need to fiddle until the eggs chip.
 
Hi Chuck

Thanks for getting back. My problem is I'm a researcher and research things to the death until I'm happy. I did the same when I ran the London marathon this year.

I'm going to follow exactly what you have told me! The eggs are going in tonight once I get home from work. I will keep you updated on the progress.

Thank you again for your advice and sincere apologies for not taking in what you said previous.

Dry run it is then!

Paul
 
Chuck said:
What a responsibility !
Click to expand...

Yes Chuck it will be all your fault if it goes pear shaped :-)09

I set 20 eggs last night. Strangely the humidity has gone up to 30% :) . The temperature is stable with digital reading 36 and bulb therm reading about 37.5. Turned the eggs first thing this morning. Will get the missus to turn them at dinner and I'll probably turn them again when I get home tonight after work.

So roll on day 7 for candling......
 
So I have candled the eggs and it would appear we have 16 fertile from 20. So fingers crossed again now until day 14 when I'll candle again.

Temp has remained steady and humidity is 23%.
 
u think you are confused well i am on my first attempt of using an inccy as well { king suro 20 digtial } and the eggs have been in 24 hrs and i am confused like hell so much so i need to go to confused.com my temp is 37.5 and the humditiy is down below 20 or 23 % and i really dont understand this running dry as i have pumped the pump as it siad on the video from pandt poultry and the water goes though the pump gets about 3/4 way to the inncy then just stops :-)05 so it doesnt even get near the sponge .
i put the inncy on a work top in the kitchen but it was to close to the window and that sent the temp up to 37.7 and the alarm went of so mum called me and i got home at 10am to look at it and deciced to move the inncy so had to swtich it of for just under 1 min to get it to the other side of the room which worried me but my friend who i borrowed it from called and said its cause it was by the window and the sun was warming it ok first lesson learnt , then the dryness was worring me so i got mum to dampen the sponge and the humditiy sprung up to 53% but then it dropped to below 25% after a few hrs , my firend is coming over later to check everything and he said on the phone it needs to be around 60% :-)05 :-)05 think hes as bad as me for not knowing ,lols
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top