Condensation is bad for eggs, but how?

Hi everyone, I know that condensation is not desirable in the incubator and that water on the eggs can kill them. Can anyone elaborate on this? Does the water lead to growths of mold/fungus that kill the eggs? Or does the water get into the egg through its pores?

Thanks,

JonV

short answer is yes. too moist of conditions can lead to mold. and I am not sur ebut I have heard that if the eggs get wet it washes off some of the natural protection the eggs have from mold and fungus. again I am just regurging things I have heard.

I believe that it has to do with the porous nature of eggs. The water prohibits the exhange of oxygen, and basically suffocates the egg.

I believe that it plugs up the pores in the egg so that the egg can't breath.



Edit: Yeah, what Christie said.

so would you say that if I have condensation building up on the press N seal I have over my rubbermaid, it's too humid?

For whatever reason, I was thinking 99% humidity is what I needed or else the eggs would dry out. dunno how i got that info :oops:

One thing I like to do with my clutches is cover them with a paper towel, it catches any drips that come off the lid of the egg box due to condensation.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nathanledet

so would you say that if I have condensation building up on the press N seal I have over my rubbermaid, it's too humid?

For whatever reason, I was thinking 99% humidity is what I needed or else the eggs would dry out. dunno how i got that info :oops:

---

Nah, it's fine... as long as the condensation isn't dripping on the eggs. I try to tweak my bins so that a little condensation is present (I use the no-sub method with Press N Seal).

Condensation only occurs when the temp outside the box and inside vary. It shouldn't be a problem unless it is building up and dripping right on the eggs.

You gotta remember that these aren't chicken eggs. They don't need to be dry or even close to it.

They are laid in the rainy season, they get wet in the wild and do just fine. A little water won't hurt them, just don't submerge them.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wilomn

You gotta remember that these aren't chicken eggs. They don't need to be dry or even close to it.

They are laid in the rainy season, they get wet in the wild and do just fine. A little water won't hurt them, just don't submerge them.

---

I was just reading the Barker's book, and I thought the eggs were laid just in time for the babies to hatch for the rainy season. :confuse: