Studies on the effect of humidity on the hatchability of hen's eggs I. The determination of optimum humidity for incubation

Abstract

An attempt to find the effect of humidity on hatchability and at the same time indicate the optimum humidity for incubation was carried out by subjecting eggs in one incubator to various levels of humidity and comparing the results with eggs hatched as a Control in a second incubator of identical design. Hatchability was depressed by excessively high levels of humidity but in general satisfactory hatches can be obtained between 40 and 70% R.H. The pattern of mortality, the incidence of Malposition I but not Malpositions II, III and VI were affected by humidity level. The optimum level found, c. 50% R.H., was lower than the previously accepted optimum and may be accounted for by a number of factors including egg size.