Week 5 - Getting Humidity Right for Better Hatch Rates
Humidity is one of the most common causes of failed hatches — and also one of the least understood. It affects how much moisture your eggs lose, how easily your chicks hatch, and even how healthy they are once they’re out of the shell.
This week’s guide covers everything you need to know about humidity — from setup and monitoring to the real-world problems our team gets asked about every day.
Why Humidity Matters
Every egg has a small air cell at its blunt end. During incubation, water slowly evaporates through the shell, causing that air cell to grow. By hatch day, the chick uses this air pocket to take its first breath before pipping the shell.
- Too low humidity → eggs lose too much water → air cell grows too large → chicks can dry out and become shrink-wrapped.
- Too high humidity → eggs lose too little water → air cell stays small → chicks may drown before hatching.
The goal is steady, controlled moisture loss so the air cell grows at the right rate.
Target Humidity Ranges
| Poultry Type | Incubation Humidity | Lockdown / Hatch Humidity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chickens | 40–50% RH | 65–75% RH (minimum 60%) | Higher end gives best results |
| Ducks | 50–55% RH | 70–75% RH | May need cooling/misting |
| Quail | 40–50% RH | 65–70% RH | Small eggs lose water faster |
Our recommendation: For hatching, aim for 65–75% humidity. 60% is the minimum, but the higher range gives more consistent results across most incubators.
How Humidity Is Created
Many people assume deeper water makes more humidity — but that’s not how it works. Humidity is controlled by the surface area of the water, not the depth.
- A wide, shallow tray produces far more humidity than a deep cup.
- Adding a sponge or wet cloth increases surface area safely and gives steadier humidity.
- Warm water evaporates faster and can reduce temperature shock when topping up larger amounts.
Surface area is the key — and when paired with a sponge it provides excellent control.
Ventilation & Air Vents
“Should the air vent be open or closed?”
The vent provides fresh oxygen for developing embryos and hatching chicks — it should always stay open during normal incubation. Fresh air also helps regulate carbon dioxide inside the incubator.
If humidity is hard to maintain because the surrounding air is dry:
- Close the vent a quarter turn.
- Wait about 30 minutes.
- Check humidity again and only close further if needed.
This gentle approach keeps airflow and oxygen levels where they need to be.
Measuring Humidity
Incubator displays can drift over time. As major manufacturers caution, an inaccurate hygrometer is worse than none at all because it leads to wrong adjustments.
We recommend using the Origin Monitor System, designed especially for poultry incubation:
- Origin Monitor Sensors – precision temperature & humidity sensors.
- Origin Monitor App – Bluetooth connection, live data, graphs, and alerts.
- Calibrated Accuracy – every sensor is factory-verified for consistent readings.
For long hatches (ducks / geese), weigh eggs during incubation and aim for 12–14% weight loss by hatch day.
Common Questions & Real-World Answers
“My humidity is too high — how can I reduce it?”
- Remove or reduce water surface area.
- Use a smaller tray or take one sponge out.
- Increase airflow slightly by opening the vent or a room door.
- Avoid trapping condensation — it raises humidity.
“What’s the difference between manual water filling and an automatic incubator?”
Manual incubators rely on you to adjust water levels. Fully automatic models like the Origin Series control humidity automatically, keeping it consistent even as room conditions change. The key difference is consistency.
“My chicks were shrink-wrapped.”
Humidity was too low, especially during lockdown, or the lid was opened too often. Once the inner membrane dries, the chick sticks to it and can’t turn.
- Keep humidity at 65–75% during hatch.
- Avoid opening the lid until most chicks have hatched.
“I think my chicks drowned.”
Humidity was too high and the air cell too small. Chicks may suffocate or drown in excess fluid.
For your next hatch, lower humidity slightly during incubation or improve ventilation.
“What if I added too much water?”
Too much surface area can push humidity dangerously high, limiting air cell growth.
- Tip the incubator slightly or remove some water with a sponge/syringe — it usually stabilises within 30 minutes.
“My humidity keeps changing by itself.”
Small swings are normal as the heater cycles. Large swings often come from:
- Drafts or air-conditioning
- Poor lid seal
- Sensor placed too close to a vent or heater
Move the incubator to a steadier environment and ensure sensors aren’t above the water tray. If fluctuations persist, a fully automatic incubator with humidity control maintains tighter stability.
“The inside is full of condensation.”
This can happen for two reasons:
- In a cold room, warm humid air condenses on the cooler inner surfaces.
- Humidity is simply too high for the current temperature or airflow.
Wipe away moisture, open the vent slightly, and reduce water until balanced. Condensation can drip on eggs and promote bacteria — avoid it where possible.
Tools That Make It Easier
- Origin Monitor System – accurate sensors + app tracking.
- Origin Series Incubators – automatic humidity control built in.
- Sponges & Trays – simple ways to fine-tune humidity manually.
Dry Hatching – Is It Right for Me?
“Dry hatching” is a popular term online, but it’s often misunderstood. Many think it means incubating with no water at all — but usually it just means running lower humidity because your local air already holds plenty of moisture.
What It Really Means
- Start with less water, not none.
- The goal is still correct moisture loss so the air cell grows normally.
- In humid climates, you might reach 45–50% RH without adding water — that’s still humidity, just from the ambient air.
When It Might Work
- Warm, humid, or coastal areas.
- Small, well-sealed incubators that retain moisture easily.
- When your Origin Monitor shows ideal humidity without water.
When It Goes Wrong
- Dry or air-conditioned rooms → eggs dehydrate, chicks shrink-wrap.
- Inaccurate sensors give false confidence.
- Lockdown always requires higher humidity, even if you ran lower earlier.
Our View
We don’t like the term “dry hatching.”... A better way to think about it is:
Adjusting humidity to suit your local conditions.
If your room is naturally humid, you may not need to add water early on. If it’s dry, you definitely will. Either way, always monitor with the Origin Monitor System and check air cell development before making big changes.
Final Thoughts
Humidity doesn’t have to be guesswork. With the right balance of surface area, vent control, and accurate measurement, you can create ideal conditions every time.
Trust your readings, learn from each hatch, and adjust slowly — your future chicks will thank you.
Shop Origin Monitor Sensors & Humidity Accessories →
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