Humidity is a vital parameter for the normal development of embryos in an incubator. In the first week of egg laying, its value should be 60-70%, in the second - no more than 40-50%, in the third it should be significantly higher - not less than 75%. This indicator can be measured with a special device - a hygrometer.
How does the hygrometer work
A hygrometer or moisture meter is a device that allows you to determine the level of humidity inside the incubator. To determine this value, the device is lowered into the container for several minutes through a special opening. Some time later, indicators appear on the sensor screen. With the lid of the incubator open, accurate data should wait at least an hour.
Important! Falls, dirt and direct sunlight affect the moisture meter. For the normal functioning of the device it is necessary to protect against the negative influence of the external environment.
Types of hygrometers for incubator
Moisture meters can be of different types. Depending on the principle of their work, each of them has its own characteristics, certain advantages and disadvantages.
Weight
The operation of this device is based on a system of tubes that are interconnected. They are filled with a hygroscopic air-absorbing substance. It is possible to calculate the absolute humidity due to the difference in weight before and after skipping a certain portion of air. For this, a special formula is used. 
The disadvantage of this device is obvious - it is quite difficult for an ordinary user to carry out the necessary mathematical calculations each time. The advantage of the weight moisture meter is the high accuracy of its measurements.
Hair
This type of device is based on the property of hair to change length with changes in humidity. In order to determine this indicator, in the incubator container, the hair is pulled over a special metal frame.
Did you know? It is possible to check the serviceability of the moisture meter when holding the device in the palm of your hand for a few seconds. Under the influence of the heat of the human body sensor readings should change.It captures changes with an arrow on a special scale. The main advantage of the method is simplicity. The disadvantages are fragility and low measurement accuracy.
Film strip
The principle of operation of this device is based on the property of an organic film to stretch at high humidity and shrink when its level decreases. The film sensor works on the principle of the hair, only then changes in the elasticity of the film under the action of the load are recorded.
We advise you to read about how to choose a thermostat for an incubator.
The data is displayed on a special display. The pros and cons of this method are identical to the characteristics of a hair moisture meter. 
Ceramic
The basis of this device is the dependence of the resistance of a ceramic part, which consists of clay, kaolin, silicon and oxides of some metals, on the humidity of the air.
Important! To increase the humidity in the incubator, the eggs are sprayed with water. However, this should only be done with waterfowl eggs.The advantages of this type of device include their ability to measure humidity in a wide range with high accuracy, the disadvantages are considerable cost.
How to choose a hygrometer for an incubator
When starting a selection, it is important to obtain as much information as possible about the technical characteristics of the device. When buying a moisture meter, the size of the incubator is also important - the bigger it is, the more powerful the device should be.
Read more about how to make the incubator device yourself from a refrigerator, thermostat, ovoscope and ventilation for the incubator.
When choosing a device, it is important to consider the following characteristics:
- on models with a remote sensor, the integrity of the cable and the display should not be compromised;
- pressure parameter can be relative (RH) and absolute (g / cubic meter);
- if there is a need for a high-precision device, then an optical device will be ideal for this;
- To place the device outside the dwelling, it is best to purchase a hygrometer with a high degree of protection against external factors, this indicator is measured on an IP scale.
The most popular devices are Chip-Chick and Max moisture meters. Electronic devices for measuring humidity and temperature "Chicken-chick" determine humidity from 20 to 90%, with an error of no more than 5%. Compatible with all domestic incubators. Hydrometers "Max" measure humidity in the range from 10 to 98%. Power - disposable batteries.How to make a hygrometer with your own hands
At home, this device is not very difficult to manufacture. Difficulties arise when using it - it requires certain mathematical knowledge and care to avoid errors in calculations.
We recommend reading about what the temperature should be in the incubator, as well as how to disinfect the incubator before laying eggs.
Tools and materials
For the manufacture of moisture will require:
- two mercury thermometers;
- the board to which these thermometers will be attached;
- a small piece of cloth;
- thread;
- flask;
- distilled water.
Manufacturing process
To make a hygrometer yourself, you must perform the following steps:
- Two thermometers are mounted on the board parallel to each other.
- Under one of them is placed a flask with distilled water.
- The mercury ball of one of the thermometers is carefully wrapped in cloth, which is tied with a thread.
- The edge of the fabric is lowered into the water to a depth of 5-7 mm. Thus we get a "wet" thermometer.
- The readings of both thermometers are necessary to compare and determine the humidity of the air using the table of temperature differences.
Hygrometer circuitTemperature difference table
Such an improvised device is a dubious alternative. Firstly, the readings obtained in this way have serious errors.
Familiarize yourself with the technical specifications of household incubators such as "Egger 88", "Egger 264", "R-Com King Suro20", "Cockerel IPH-10", "Nest 200", "Nest 100", "Сovatutto 24", " Janoel 24 "," TGB 280 "," Universal 55 "," Stimulus-4000 "," AI-48 "," Stimul-1000 "," Stimulus IP-16 "," IFH 500 "," IFH 1000 "," Ramil 550TsD "," Covatutto 108 "," Titan "," Neptune ".
Secondly, to take readings it is required to constantly open the lid of the hood. 
Which of the hygrometers will be chosen depends on the wishes and capabilities of the poultry farmer. Today, a large selection of modern moisture meters is offered to their attention: easy-to-use, with digital displays measuring not only humidity but also temperature.
Did you know? Pine cones are a natural hygrometer. They open when low and shrink when high humidity.
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