Chicken hatcheries can range in size from small backyard coop incubators to large commercial operations. Regardless of the size of the hatchery, rearing chicks requires specific environmental control to maintain the healthiest climate – from egg to chicken.

Learn how to maintain the ideal temperature and humidity for your hatchery.

What Is The Ideal Egg Incubator Temperature

Under normal conditions, chicks will hatch in temperatures ranging from 84.5 to 104.9 degrees fahrenheit. However, this range is not optimal for guaranteed hatching and chick health.

In a controlled environment, like an incubator, fertilized chicken eggs should be maintained under temperatures that simulate the natural body temperature of a hen: between 99 and 102 degrees fahrenheit. Most sources cite 99.5 degrees as the ideal temperature.

Generally, there are two varieties of incubators: still and forced air. Both have slightly different methods of warming eggs, so their optimal temperatures will differ.

A still air incubator should be set to 102 degrees while forced air incubators should be a few degrees lower at 100 degrees. Humidity is going to play a very important role in determining these temperatures.

Make incubation easy with an egg incubator from Farmer Boy. Shop online for the perfect solution.

Finding The Right Hatchery Humidity

Eggshells are porous and will lose moisture over time. Providing optimal humidity during crucial phases of development results in healthier chicks.

Low humidity causes eggs to lose too much weight, resulting in more air space. A large air space results in smaller chicks. Meanwhile, high humidity results in less air space which can affect the respiration and cause problems.

Optimal Humidity For Incubators

Many incubators have humidity controls that allow them to maintain a specified relative humidity to the set temperature. This requires a water reservoir and an internal humidity monitor called a hygrometer. For ideal egg weight, the hygrometer should read between 55% to 60% humidity.

Incubators Without Humidity Controls

Not all incubators come equipped with a hygrometer or humidity controls. In this case, there are a few tips that can help provide optimal humidity for eggs:

●Use an atomizer to spray a small amount of water into the incubator’s ventilation holes to increase the humidity

●Place an 8” pie tin or petri dish filled with water under the egg tray to provide moisture. The humidity in the incubator can be controlled by changing the size of the tin or dish.

●Use a wet bulb thermometer to determine relative humidity inside of the incubator. In an incubator with a dry temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the wet bulb temperature should read between 85.3 to 87.3 degrees for a relative humidity of 55% to 60%.

Optimal Humidity For Hatcheries

Large hatcheries should also receive adequate ventilation and humidity control. The best hatching results are obtained with normal atmospheric air. Inadequate ventilation with a hatchery can result in oxygen deficiencies.

Be sure the hatchery receives sufficient air exchange. This makes it easier to control humidity within incubators and helps ensure air is free of harmful compounds while adequately oxygenated.

Ventilation is more so important in humid climates. Ensuring there is adequate airflow reduces moisture levels in the hatchery air and can benefit incubators as well.

Hatchery Equipment And Supplies From Farmer Boy

From nests to belts and incubators, Farmer Boy has everything layers need to raise poultry. Whether you operate a homestead farm or a large scale poultry operation, Farmer Boy has a wide selection of poultry layer equipment and supplies for sale.

Looking for help with a hatchery update or build? Give our sales team a call to learn more about our construction services. Connect with us at 1-800-845-3374 for more information.