Why Humidity Matters More in Cold Weather
(And How to Control It During Incubation)
When it comes to successful incubation, humidity control is just as important as temperature — and in winter, it can become a silent challenge.
Cold weather doesn't just mean your incubator works harder to maintain temperature. It also affects the air’s ability to hold moisture, which can quietly throw off your entire hatch if not managed properly.
Why Humidity Drops in Winter
Cooler air holds less moisture than warm air. That means even if you live in a humid area, once the air gets cold and is pulled into your incubator, it can become extremely dry when warmed up — dropping the relative humidity inside your machine.
This dry air pulls moisture from your eggs faster, increasing the risk of:
- Excessive egg weight loss
- Early internal pipping before the chick is ready
- Sticky chicks struggling to hatch due to dried-out membranes
Signs Your Humidity Is Too Low
Keep an eye out for:
- Excessive egg weight loss (use an egg scale if possible)
- Chicks pipping but not hatching
- Dry membranes sticking to the chick
- Early deaths in the final few days of incubation
How to Manage Humidity in Cold Conditions
1. Use an incubator with automatic humidity control
Manual setups can be fiddly in changing weather. Models like the Origin Series let you set your target humidity and adjust automatically as needed.
2. Monitor humidity daily
Use a reliable hygrometer or digital climate monitor. Don’t trust built-in sensors alone — they can drift over time.
3. Add surface area, not just water
The more surface area the water covers, the more evaporation you’ll get. Use shallow trays or add sponges to increase humidity without overfilling the water chamber.
4. Keep the incubator in a stable environment
Avoid placing it in a cold garage, laundry, or drafty room. Aim for a room with consistent temperatures between 18–25°C.
5. Adjust ventilation carefully
You need oxygen exchange, but in dry conditions, too much airflow can dry things out. Some incubators allow you to fine-tune vents — use this to your advantage.
Bonus Tip: Track Egg Weight Loss
Humidity isn't guesswork. If you're doing a longer incubation (e.g., ducks or larger poultry), weigh a few eggs at the start and midway through. You want around 13–14% weight loss by hatch day. Too much = humidity is too low.
🌡️ Humidity Control Made Simple
If you’ve struggled with hatches in winter before, humidity is likely the missing piece.
That’s why Uneek Poultry’s Origin Series Incubators feature automatic humidity control and optional accessories like our calibrated climate monitor — making winter incubation more reliable.
Got a question about your incubator setup? Contact us — we’re real people, and happy to help.