Little Giant Incubator Tricks

Pics
Date sort Score sort
Avonshire said:
Well I think it has to do with positioning and humidity. The first hatch I did after the first chick hatched my therm fell from on top of the eggs to the grate and the temp went from 99 to 93. I was worried the temp was too low so I increased it. This time I used a turner and also tried dry incubation. So I dropped the level of the eggs and tried with egg cartons to get the height right but was not successful. So I had to increase the temp. I also finally had a huge increase in humdity too. I am worried about shrink wrap this time with the dry incubation approach. Tpday is haych day. I did not add water the whole time before lockdown. If this is a bad hatch I think I will try to keep my uumidity around 30 during incubation. I also use a still air lg if that makes a difference in the whole temp discussion.
Click to expand...
Looks like you have been learning a few things--this is really good. The still air does run differently than the fan LG. The temp closer to the top will be higher and the temp on the mesh floor is the coldest. THe goal is a temp of 102 (hen temp) on top of the eggs or 99 at 1"(or what ever is half the height of the eggs or on the turner). LG instruction blloklet clearly states 102 on top of the eggs. Eggs with different heights pose a problem I have found. Smaller eggs develop slower because they are actually incubating at a lower temp. SO I added a fan to change that.

I usually keep an eye on the RH even if I don't add any water. RH can fluctuate; if it stays below 20 I add a little water. I also think the number of eggs , a few v full also effects the drying.
 
Avonshire said:
Well I think it has to do with positioning and humidity. The first hatch I did after the first chick hatched my therm fell from on top of the eggs to the grate and the temp went from 99 to 93. I was worried the temp was too low so I increased it. This time I used a turner and also tried dry incubation. So I dropped the level of the eggs and tried with egg cartons to get the height right but was not successful. So I had to increase the temp. I also finally had a huge increase in humdity too. I am worried about shrink wrap this time with the dry incubation approach. Tpday is haych day. I did not add water the whole time before lockdown. If this is a bad hatch I think I will try to keep my uumidity around 30 during incubation. I also use a still air lg if that makes a difference in the whole temp discussion.
Click to expand...

Still air incubators have more cool spots and hot spots as there is no fan to circulate the air. When I was using my still air, every few days I would move the eggs around and candle some too to check on their development.
 
Avonshire said:
cmom--do you have one of those egg therms? If I do this again I want one of those! I need a good therm. Mine are all over the place. I started out with them all giving me the same temp but then midway thru I was getting temps all over the place. They weren't all in the exact same place which is all I can figure is my problem--uneven heat throughout!
Click to expand...

This what I use. I did do the humidity calibration and it was perfect. I compared the temp to another thermometer placed the same and they agreed.
 
OK so this one is good because it fits through the hole in the bator. I am confused on how the egg one would work since the digital display part goes on the outside and the egg goes inside--seems like it would be a problem. Anyway I will look into one of these!!
 
As cmom mentioned the eggs benefit from rotating their location bc/ the temp vary zone to zone. Someone did a study on this and this explains why the LG performs best with a fan. Still move the eggs whether still or fan.
 
Avonshire said:
yeah I am thinking that next time I won't use the egg turner so that I can move the eggs around. I will rotate the top too!
Click to expand...
If you have the turner, I would use the turner. I turn 50 eggs several times a day by hand and I often wish I had a turner to fit in my cooler bator. Of course there isn't one designed for it! LOL So use the turner, leave the one hole open by the motor and rotate the lid. Keep it easy if you can. GL
 
Arielle said:
If you have the turner, I would use the turner. I turn 50 eggs several times a day by hand and I often wish I had a turner to fit in my cooler bator. Of course there isn't one designed for it! LOL So use the turner, leave the one hole open by the motor and rotate the lid. Keep it easy if you can. GL
Click to expand...

I agree. That is an excellent idea...
 
mine were shipped so I have them in cut out cartons and am tilting the bator externally instead of reaching in to turn. I am also NOW rotating the lid when I tilt them and keeping the egg surface temp higher at 102 instead of 99.5. I think the higher temp has already sped up the process )
 

Similar threads

Altairsky
    • Like
Help fixing an old incubator
Replies
8
Views
573
Altairsky
Altairsky
Susan Skylark
Little giant vs. nurture right 360
Replies
1
Views
285
Wyorp Rock
Wyorp Rock
kelseym330
    • Like
questions on DIY incubator
Replies
3
Views
281
McChooky
McChooky
L
Incubator Help - Little Giant still air, no egg turner
Replies
8
Views
683
RodneyS
R
Tstraub
    • Like
My diy incubator test run
2
Replies
16
Views
2K
Tstraub
Tstraub

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom