Temperature and Relative Humidity in the Incubation Room and Embryonic Mortality

With the use of modern forced-draft electric incubators, the general opinion exists that the temperature and humidity of the incubation room are less important than in earlier times when still-air machines were used. In general, manufacturers of modern machines recommend that they operate most efficiently in rooms with temperature ranges from 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The question of room temperature and relative humidity has been studied during the past five hatching seasons while pedigree-hatching Rhode Island Reds. DATA AVAILABLE A forced-draft electric incubator was used that had a rated capacity of 8,100 eggs. The incubation room was 21 feet long and 15 feet wide located in the northeast corner of a basement and was separated from the rest of the basement by celotex walls. The floor was concrete and the ceiling height was 7 feet. The two outside walls were part stone and part brick. This room was heated . . .