Maternal Incubation

[FireStorm]

Just to be clear, I do regulate the humidity. We just don't measure it with a hygrometer. I think the distinction is important. If the moss drys out we add the appropriate amount of moisture, we are just not using numbers on a screen to determine how much moisture we need.

[Neal]

Id really like to hear from someone else who is experienced in maternal incubation to give their thoughts on humidity levels. The issue I am thinking about is the humidity getting too high that mold and RI's start becoming a problem. Is it fine to keep the humidity at 50-60% through the whole process? As you said, you don't regulate your humidity levels so I would like to know from those who do where they keep their humidity at during incubation.

RI's come in to play more so with temperatures then humidity. You'd literally have to have 90%+ humidity or maybe even more to run into that issue and I highly doubt his is that high. His is probably in the mid-high 70's.

Just to be clear, I do regulate the humidity. We just don't measure it with a hygrometer. I think the distinction is important. If the moss drys out we add the appropriate amount of moisture, we are just not using numbers on a screen to determine how much moisture we need.

I knew what you meant, no worries.

[kitedemon]

RI is linked to poor ventilation and high humidity. Warm temp poor air flow and high humidity are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria. Over abundance of bacteria can cause RI. Not only temps depressing the immune system. We humans have seen this in buildings that are too tight. Sick building syndrome. High humidity is fine as long as there is enough air flow.


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[boyer.michael.s]

Yes I understood what you meant FireStorm and there is nothing wrong with the way you regulate your humidity so I hope you don't think that's what I was getting at. I was just using the word regulate to represent exact numbers though as that is what is more useful for my situation as I am able to control the temperature of the entire room and also the humidity of the room relative to that temperature. Also I mentioned RI's and mold because not everyone on this forum is going to have the same quality of airflow. Some may has less adequate airflow than others so those issues are always important to point out.

[FireStorm]

It's all good, just wanted to make sure that no one took what I said to mean that I didn't think the humidity level was important. And FWIW, I believe that our racks are very well ventilated (they are Visions, so not as enclosed as some). We also have a few fans running in the room 24/7.

As far as the concern about mold, I would avoid aspen for maternal incubation. Cypress or coconut husk are much more mold resistant.

[Quiet Tempest]

Id really like to hear from someone else who is experienced in maternal incubation to give their thoughts on humidity levels. The issue I am thinking about is the humidity getting too high that mold and RI's start becoming a problem. Is it fine to keep the humidity at 50-60% through the whole process? As you said, you don't regulate your humidity levels so I would like to know from those who do where they keep their humidity at during incubation.

Maternal incubation is the only method I use. Humidity is kept roughly 60-80% in my brooding females' enclosures. The mother provides the eggs a higher humidity range within her coils. You really only need to keep the enclosure comfortable for her. She'll do the rest for her clutch. I use moistened sphagnum moss in tubs where I have a female getting close to her lay date. She usually makes use of it and it can be spritzed with warm water if you feel the overall humidity in the tub/enclosure should come up a bit.