Humidity Levels For Egg Incubation
Different species of birds’ eggs require different humidity levels when being incubated.
Here is a guide to the humidity levels (wet bulb thermometer) for different species of birds’ eggs.
Bobwhite Quail = 84-86 degrees fahrenheit.
Canada Goose = 86-88 degrees fahrenheit.
Chicken = 85-87 degrees fahrenheit.
Chukar Partridge = 80-88 degrees fahrenheit.
Cotumix (Japanese) Quail = 84-88 degrees fahrenheit.
Duck = 84-88 degrees fahrenheit.
Egyptian Goose = 86-88 degrees fahrenheit.
Emu = 70-75 degrees fahrenheit.
Goose = 86-88 degrees fahrenheit.
Grouse = 82-86 degrees fahrenheit.
Guinea Fowl = 83-86 degrees fahrenheit.
Indian Runner Duck = 84-88 degrees fahrenheit.
Mallard = 84-88 degrees fahrenheit.
Muscovy Duck = 84-88 degrees fahrenheit.
Ostrich = 70-75 degrees fahrenheit.
Partridge = 80-88 degrees fahrenheit.
Peafowl = 83-88 degrees fahrenheit.
Pheasant = 82-88 degrees fahrenheit.
Pigeon = 84-88 degrees fahrenheit.
Rheas = 80-87 degrees fahrenheit.
Swan = 86-88 degrees fahrenheit.
Turkey = 83-86 degrees fahrenheit.
Please note that these humidity levels are approximate and may differ according to the incubator manufacturer’s guide.
Always consult the manufacturer’s guide when using an incubator.
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Thank you for this useful information. Is the wet bulb thermometer difficult to read?
Comment by sally — April 25, 2007 @ 3:41 pm
Hi Sally,
Thanks for your comment and question.
A wet bulb thermometer measures the humidity in the incubator and can look like an ordinary thermometer. The only difference is that the bulb on this thermometer is covered with a cloth that is kept wet using a wick and a small container of water.
The wet bulb thermometer is easy to read. It is just like reading an ordinary thermometer.
For more information click on this link - Wet bulb thermometer.
Hope that helps.
Sara @ Farming Friends
Comment by Sara @ Farming Friends — April 26, 2007 @ 7:37 am
can you tell me how to raise humidity in incubator for turkey eggs. we have a homemade incubator that measures approx. 36″ tall, 36″ deep and about 24″ side. It has 3 tray levels.
My son is trying to hatch turkey eggs and is having trouble getting humidity about 68. Any tips will be appreciated
Comment by Marcia Reaves — June 13, 2008 @ 10:57 am
Hi Marcia,
I believe that low humidity is caused by high temperatures which dry out the water trays in the incubator and help the humidity in the atmosphere evaporate. If you wish to increase the humidity levels in the incubator then add more water to the water trays in the incubator. You could also try to increase the humidity levels in the room in which the incubator is. You may also need to regulate the temperature in the room in which the incubator is in so that the temperature in the incubator doesn’t get too high.
I hope this information is of use and that the turkey eggs hatch out ok. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Kind regards
Sara @ farmingfriends
Comment by Sara @ Farming Friends — June 15, 2008 @ 10:31 pm