Getting ready to incubate - my story

So I ordered an incubator and I was so excited when I finally got it that I turned it on straight away (after reading instructions of course )


Outside end with water tray


Top (as you can see it is too hot Inside
as I thought it was way out)

I then left it on overnight and found that I needed to put it in the packaging box with the foam around it as it went 2 degrees lower overnight and so I did that but without closing the lid.



Still the same result and then I decided to shut the lid up so I did that and had to put a book on top to keep the lid closed.

That did the job and then the only think left was to get a hygrometer to get the humidity sorted before putting eggs in.

Being in a small town I looked everywhere and I finally found a weather station in the Post Shop I looked everywhere else first and there last but alas I finally found it.


And then I had to test it so I started with the salt and water test but after 4 hours it was stuck on 69% and the information was mixed. Some said to put a little salt with a few drops of water, others said to put a teaspoon of salt to a few drops of water and then others say to put 1/2cup salt to 1/4 cup water and that is only the start. Then it was all different times





So off to do more research and I found the other way with the damp towel. Basically you wrap the hygrometer in a damp hand towel and leave it for 8 hours.



We also went to get the chickens and roosters and got a great deal with 10 nine month old brown leghorn bantam hens and one brown leghorn bantam rooster for $60 (or I hope it was )


Now it is all a waiting game LOL. Waiting to see how accurate the hygrometer is and waiting for the chickens to lay fertile eggs.

That is a good deal. IMO, it costs more than that to raise 11 birds to 9 months.

I believe all hygrometers need to be calibrated.
I put mine outside in the shade and away from water sources for a while and then put my zip code into accuweather to see what my humidity is and adjust accordingly.

Another option is to weigh the eggs when setting and at intervals. If the humidity is correct, the eggs should lose 0.65% in weight each day of incubation.

ChickenCanoe said:

That is a good deal. IMO, it costs more than that to raise 11 birds to 9 months.

I believe all hygrometers need to be calibrated.
I put mine outside in the shade and away from water sources for a while and then put my zip code into accuweather to see what my humidity is and adjust accordingly.

Another option is to weigh the eggs when setting and at intervals. If the humidity is correct, the eggs should lose 0.65% in weight each day of incubation.

Click to expand...

Thanks, I ended up doing the water salt method again as it reached 99% within a couple of hours so did it again and this time it is 73% after 13 hours. I cant calibrate mine that I can see so will allow the -3% when incubating. Today is the testing day for the incubator for temp and humidity.

So I left my hygrometer in the bag overnight with the salt and water and when I checked it about 12 hours later it was at 73% so I guess I should allow for -2% humidity.

I am mow checking for the humidity so when I hatch eggs I am confident I can get it right but I cant the humidity right. Right now I have no water in the tray and it is 65%. No idea what I am doing wrong so I think I need to find some answers from you pros

The only thing I can tell you is to bite the bullet and get something that has guaranteed accuracy. I don't even use a hygrometer any more because the ones I had were junk.

Here is an option for a hygrometer that is guaranteed ±3% RH at 77°F

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/humidity/rt817e.html#Specifications

This is one of the thermometers I use.

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/low_cost/rt301wa.html

I also have this one.

http://www.brinsea.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=106

Both are very accurate.

ChickenCanoe said:

The only thing I can tell you is to bite the bullet and get something that has guaranteed accuracy. I don't even use a hygrometer any more because the ones I had were junk.

Here is an option for a hygrometer that is guaranteed ±3% RH at 77°F

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/humidity/rt817e.html#Specifications

This is one of the thermometers I use.

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/low_cost/rt301wa.html

I also have this one.

http://www.brinsea.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=106

Both are very accurate.

Click to expand...

Thanks I sorted it out and I'm going to do a dry hatch as it seems easier to follow. At the moment I have moved the incubator to my room and i put it in a Styrofoam box as i was concerned the box it came in want allowing enough air to circulate, but I don't seem to be able to get it past 37.4c. Will it be safe to put it in the cardboard box it came in with the foam surrounding it or will it not allow enough air to circulate when I have eggs in it?