mature eggs did not hatch

[Pheasant Hollow Farm]

I hadn't read that, at least I don't remember the part about raising the humidity to 85% !!!!  How would you do that, anyway?  Install showerheads connected to hot water?  I did a quick search for duck egg settings, thinking maybe water bird=high incubation humidity.  I did find a reference to Pekins suggesting 80%, but most duck eggs seem to hatch around 55%-65%.
 
  One problem is that some people refer to wet bulb temperature numbers as %.  That isn't actually correct, is it?  Here is one example of that http://www.duckeggs.com/hatching-eggs.html I have also seen this in reference to game bird eggs.

  Some use  **%, wet bulb, which is understandable.  But isn't degrees wet bulb, or wet bulb temperature correct? 

Wet bulb is exactly what it states. It is the temperature relative of the humidity in degrees. A  Hygrometer Wick is placed over the stem of the thermometer and the other end of the sleeve is placed in the water pan. The same thermometer can be used for wet bulb or checking incubator temps. This is what I have in my GQF 1502 Sportsman incubator.
I have two of them instead of the one. This way I can view the wet bulb temp and the incubator temp the same time

Steve
Pheasant Hollow Farm

[olson4u2]

I hatched about 2000 chukars this spring and my incubator was set on 99.5 degrees and I kept my humidity at 84 degrees wet bulb. I moved the eggs to the hatcher where it was 98.5 degrees and 86 degrees wet bulb. I didn't keep real close track of my hatching % but rough estimate 90%. during the last day of hatching I would keep a small spray bottle in the hatcher filled with water and every 3 or 4 hours I would give the eggs a little spray just to keep the membrane from drying out. This worked well for me.   
  The only way I know to raise the humidity is more water surface area so when I need more humidity I just stick a plate of water on the floor of my incubator. Crude but affective.
Hope this helps.
Kindest regards,
Steve

I am about to set my first batch of Chukar eggs.  This subject is making me a little nervous, as I have the chicks pre-sold. 

  I also found a 60%/70% suggestion for Chukars, from U.C./Davis, as well as several others.   But two others, from southern universities, or wildlife departments, as I recall, that fall right near the 53% mark.

  I've read that allowing eggs to lose a little moisture, just before being set, seems to help with hatch rate.  I will set these at 53% and wait for further suggestions from Reeves, or Steve, or Trailboss, or...... .  If humidity should be higher, I should be safe.  Do you raise this to somewhere in the range of 63% for the last three days?  Do you think this is about right for Chukars, all pheasant breeds, and quail? 

  My incubators were originally for Ratite eggs, so there is no suggestion for game birds.  They are digital, and read outs are in %RH, and degrees Fahrenheit.

  Also, is there a formula for converting wet bulb to %RH?  I have a chart, but it is in whole degrees, and 5% humidity increments.  I can calculate with the in between numbers, but then I am guesstimating.  I'd rather have a formula (elementary calculus, or easier) that I can count on.

 

[Reeves]

Going to start a new topic on this subject....

Steve, can you please re-post the same info from your last post, including the picture, in the new topic ? In "Incubation and Humidity".

[wildergamebirds]

You trying to confuse me ?

 

  Well, not on purpose.  This time, anyway.  If you mean because of the 85% statement, that is what is suggested for the last three days on the page to which you posted the address (I think it is for chicken eggs).  "60-65% for the first 18 days, 80-85% for the last 3 days."  I did babble-on, from there.

  I understand the wet bulb method, have used it, and even use it to help confirm my incubator hygrometer, and others.  It's the way some people reference the readings that seems contradictory (no one on this board, that I know of).

  Olson, thanks, that was encouraging.  "Roughly 90%"  If I get anything like 80%, I'll be tickled, and have plenty of extras.  Do you have one incubator that hatched all 2000 at one time.  If so, have you had any luck hatching much smaller quantities?

  Shultz, thanks for bringing up the subject in the first place.

Jack

[olson4u2]

last year when I did my first chukars I think I only did about 60 just to try them out. I just put them in with coturnix eggs I don't remember the % hatch but it must have been ok because I bought more eggs. This year I sold eggs and still have enough chukars to fly my birds on.
Kindest regards,
Olson