Dry Incubation - The Risks
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EXCESSIVELY DRY INCUBATION - Know the Risks.
Some consequences of running too dry, sub 40%.
The ability of the air to transfer heat varies with its moisture content, the water molecule being the best vector. Moist air does it better than dry air. But what happens inside the egg other than heat deficiency early and excess heat late?
- The enlarged air-cell occludes a larger area of the eggshell's inside surfaces, denying the embryo access to the available calcium. Bone growth is impaired and the chick is small.
- The shell at the business end has not been mineralised, remains thick and dense adversely affecting the exit.
- The developing kidneys don't have the water to properly process waste.
- The excreted products are concentrated, as are body and membrane fluids.
- The albumen is too viscous. Forms a glue like residue in the shell,
- The lack of room restricts the embryo from turning into position.
- Chicks die late, and/or are malpositioned, or hatch small and sticky.
In controlled research, see picture, 6% losses were attributed solely to running only slightly too dry
See also where we discuss the Risks of running Excessively Wet, and we don't mention the word "Drowning