First time incubating

[gfunk1127]

Hey all!
This is my first time incubating. Mom supplied me with an Antique. It is a Little Giant. They bought it at auction last year. I cleaned it up as best I could.

It now holds 20 eggs from a local guy with mainly RIR.

They sit nicely in the automatic egg turner.

I started them on 2/25.
Which means on 3/15 I get to pull them off the turner and wait for the escape to happen!

My family is excited. I am apprehensive because the humidity is having a hard time staying above 30% even though there is water in the trays. But it could also be the thermo-hygrometer's fault as well. I'm currently looking into purchasing another.

Also may invest in a newer incubator depending on how this goes!

I'll post pics as they happen.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Good luck.
A couple words of caution, don't trust any thermometer or hygrometer you haven't verified. I have tried many products and if you have a smart phone with Bluetooth, I highly recommend the Govee H5074. There are newer models, some with WIFI but I have 3 of the 5074s and swear by them.
The other point is to not be deterred if the hatch doesn't go well. The LG is notorious for poor hatches. Mostly from wildely fluctuating temperatures. I have hatched a bunch in a couple of them but I also call them 'embryo exterminators'.
You can keep the humidity up more by using a sponge. Surface area is the important aspect, not water volume.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

I have an article I wrote about Little Giant incubators if you have a couple minutes to read it.
The humidity gauges do not work properly on them, disregard what they say.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...e-giant-incubator-for-hatching-success.75734/

 

[gfunk1127]

I have an article I wrote about Little Giant incubators if you have a couple minutes to read it.
The humidity gauges do not work properly on them, disregard what they say.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...e-giant-incubator-for-hatching-success.75734/

Mine is so old School if you want the temperature to increase or decrease, you have to turn the knob. But I shall read that later. While I look in to newer better different models

 

[gfunk1127]

Good luck.
A couple words of caution, don't trust any thermometer or hygrometer you haven't verified. I have tried many products and if you have a smart phone with Bluetooth, I highly recommend the Govee H5074. There are newer models, some with WIFI but I have 3 of the 5074s and swear by them.
The other point is to not be deterred if the hatch doesn't go well. The LG is notorious for poor hatches. Mostly from wildely fluctuating temperatures. I have hatched a bunch in a couple of them but I also call them 'embryo exterminators'.
You can keep the humidity up more by using a sponge. Surface area is the important aspect, not water volume.

Ooooh. A sponge! Cool. I’ll try that. And I like the Govee products. I have a few of their LEDs.

Thank you!

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

Hey all!
This is my first time incubating. Mom supplied me with an Antique. It is a Little Giant. They bought it at auction last year. I cleaned it up as best I could.

It now holds 20 eggs from a local guy with mainly RIR.

They sit nicely in the automatic egg turner.

I started them on 2/25.
Which means on 3/15 I get to pull them off the turner and wait for the escape to happen!

My family is excited. I am apprehensive because the humidity is having a hard time staying above 30% even though there is water in the trays. But it could also be the thermo-hygrometer's fault as well. I'm currently looking into purchasing another.

Also may invest in a newer incubator depending on how this goes!

I'll post pics as they happen.

If you are using the little giants readings they are never correct
I own 2 of them and I use calibrated thermometer and hygrometer

 

[gfunk1127]

If you are using the little giants readings they are never correct
I own 2 of them and I use calibrated thermometer and hygrometer

No. This little giant is analog. No digital whatsoever.
I opened the lid. That is why the temp displayed is off normal.

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

No. This little giant is analog. No digital whatsoever.
I opened the lid. That is why the temp displayed is off normal.

That’s different then my two

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It is a very fickle control. A minute twist can change the temperature by 10 degrees.

 

[gfunk1127]

It is a very fickle control. A minute twist can change the temperature by 10 degrees.

I have mine tuned in. Did that over the day or so before the eggs were bought.

Speaking of eggs I randomly selected a couple to candle and we found 2 winners!!