Little Giant Incubator won't go about 97 degrees. Concerned for the babies.

ChickenLayD

In the Brooder
Mar 9, 2016
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I recently bought two 9300 still air Little Giant incubators for a few batches of eggs. One is working well and we have our first pip in one of the eggs this morning. However, the second one (which we set eggs in about a week ago and then 1 day ago) will not get warm enough. I have to set it at 102 degrees on the digital thermometer to get it to 97 degrees on the chick thermometer I put inside the incubator (which is accurate). I am hesitant to set it any higher than that even though the temperature should be at 99.5 degrees. The ones that are a week old are alive and moving inside the egg but I am so nervous because I keep thinking, what if it does start to work and goes up to the temperature it reads on the digital thermometer? At this point I want to just go get an incubator that is known to work well and has warranty (preferably life time). This would be the third time bringing this same incubator type back to the store in one week. The second time I went back to the farm store I did not have a pleasant experience. The man told me this has never happened before and that it was suspicious that I kept bringing them back. I don't understand this. I just want to keep them alive. I appreciate any advice anyone could give me. Thank you!
 
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I recently bought two 9300 still air Little Giant incubators for a few batches of eggs. One is working well and we have our first pip in one of the eggs this morning. However, the second one (which we set eggs in about a week ago and then 1 day ago) will not get warm enough. I have to set it at 102 degrees on the digital thermometer to get it to 97 degrees on the chick thermometer I put inside the incubator (which is accurate). I am hesitant to set it any higher than that even though the temperature should be at 99.5 degrees. The ones that are a week old are alive and moving inside the egg but I am so nervous because I keep thinking, what if it does start to work and goes up to the temperature it reads on the digital thermometer? At this point I want to just go get an incubator that is known to work well and has warranty (preferably life time). This would be the third time bringing this same incubator type back to the store in one week. The second time I went back to the farm store I did not have a pleasant experience. The man told me this has never happened before and that it was suspicious that I kept bringing them back. I don't understand this. I just want to keep them alive. I appreciate any advice anyone could give me. Thank you!
First of, he's a jerk. The 9300 is notorious for these problems and if I had to guess I'd say at least 1/2 of the people that buy them take them back. Almost everyone I know that has made the mistake of buying a 9300 has had to set the display at at least 2-3 degrees higher than the temp they need t o get it inside so if you need 101-102 (which is what you need for still air) it is common to have to set these incubators at 103-104 to get it there. You are NOT alone in this and you can find dozens of threads with people of the same problem. Now, if you are sure your inside therm is accurate and you are incubating at 97F then you are facing a significant delay of any chicks that make it to hatching. Even in a forced w//99.5 recommendations I would not want my temps to be that low from the mark.
My first hatch was compromised by a thermometer that was 6 degrees off. 17 live chicks went into lockdown and 1 came out alive and survived. He ended up having a leg issue, but 1 1/2 years later is still with us. I would recommend upping the bator and at least running at 100 if not the needed 101-102.
 
I have to set my LG at 103.5F to get it to around 100.5-101F. Even then, the end opposite the heating element is still cooler (and its never "kicked in" and gone up to the set temp). I wish I'd have taken mine back. I have a 9200 as well, and its always been good to me (even though it's a pain to adjust the temp with that stupid little knob). I'd get in touch with Miller, the manufacturer, they might work with you.
 
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Did you buy this incubator from Tractor Supply? If you did call their home office and tell them you have a complaint about the incubator AND the customer service at the store. Let us know what the results are.

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I have to set my LG at 103.5F to get it to around 100.5-101F. Even then, the end opposite the heating element is still cooler (and its never "kicked in" and gone up to the set temp). I wish I'd have taken mine back. I have a 9200 as well, and its always been good to me (even though it's a pain to adjust the temp with that stupid little knob). I'd get in touch with Miller, the manufacturer, they might work with you.
I have to admit, I'm a little attached to my 9200 even though I'd like to upgrade to the Hovabator. And yes, those 9200 knobs were designed by Satan...lol
 
First of, he's a jerk. The 9300 is notorious for these problems and if I had to guess I'd say at least 1/2 of the people that buy them take them back. Almost everyone I know that has made the mistake of buying a 9300 has had to set the display at at least 2-3 degrees higher than the temp they need t o get it inside so if you need 101-102 (which is what you need for still air) it is common to have to set these incubators at 103-104 to get it there. You are NOT alone in this and you can find dozens of threads with people of the same problem. Now, if you are sure your inside therm is accurate and you are incubating at 97F  then you are facing a significant delay of any chicks that make it to hatching. Even in a forced w//99.5 recommendations I would not want my temps to be that low from the mark.
My first hatch was compromised by a thermometer that was 6 degrees off. 17 live chicks went into lockdown and 1 came out alive and survived. He ended up having a leg issue, but 1  1/2 years later is still with us. I would recommend upping the bator and at least running at 100 if not the needed 101-102.

thank you so much! I am turning the temp up right now and hoping they make it :)
 
Thank you to everyone who replied. Yes I did get them from a farm/tractor supply store. I plan on calling today or I may even go in and show them pictures that I took of the digital thermometer and the thermometer inside. Even when I turned the temp up, it stayed the same temp. after an hour. Then I took the eggs out along with the new egg turner, and put them in my incubator that keeps a consistent temperature as the eggs that were in there are due today and don't need as much heat as the ones that are still developing. I then put my still developing ones in my other one that seemed to keep a consistent temperature. I checked them a little while later and the one that was working well was low and the one that wasn't working well was at 99.5! The only thing I can think of was maybe the egg turner was effecting it negatively? I took the egg turner out and put a little blanket over 1/3 of the incubator and it seems to be going up. Does anyone have an incubator that they love? I heard that the Hovabator is better but it looks just like the Little Giant and makes me hesitant to order it. Thank you again for all your help!
 

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