Magicfly incubators

[pinkpeeps]

Thanks for the information. What did you have the temp and humidity set on?

I keep the temp set on 37.5c. I don't keep a hydrometer in there anymore. Honestly I don't remember what it supposed to be...After the first year I figured out that the little cup keeps the humidity about right. I don't raise the humidity for lock down. After the first egg hatches the humidity will shoot up on its own, kinda like how it would under a broody hen.

 

[Cluckcluck1215]

Hello.

I've looked at the Magicfly Incubator in the past and I love it and the price.

But, can you take the turner out?I would rather turn them myself for the first time hatching.

 

[pinkpeeps]

I just set up my magicfly and the tray does not stay connected to the turner.  So the lid will pop off when it get's to a certain point.  I went ahead and just laid the eggs on the mesh grate since and am manually turning them.  Is this ok?  Or do they need to be in a tray or something?  This is my first attempt at hatching and I feel like I'm all thumbs!  Help!  And I'm not new here, I just rarely post!  I do read often!

I'm not sure why you turner isn't working correctly. My guess would be that the eggs are packed in too tightly. It works great for bantams, but I usually hand turn large fowl because it just won't hold many of them. I noticed sometimes it would rotate the eggs pointy end up. Leaving them on the grate is fine. Although, don't forget to put non-slip shelf liner in before lockdown.

 

[pinkpeeps]

Hello.

I've looked at the Magicfly Incubator in the past and I love it and the price.

But, can you take the turner out?I would rather turn them myself for the first time hatching.

You don't have to use the turner. It will hold more eggs without it. Just remember that the metal arm that rolls the turner will still bump into eggs that are packed on that end, so just make sure to leave some space for it to move.

 

[Neezers Farm]

I hatched my second brood from the Magicfly incubator last week. The first brood had 4/5 success. The one that didn't survive was not because of the incubator. The second brood had 9/9, 100% success! Both broods hatched at day 20. This is a picture of lock down, after I removed the automatic turning tray and one level.
I have a few comments about the incubator. The instructions included were very limited. There are a few youtube videos you can look up. The digital temperature displays in Celsius only. The instructions recommended 38 C. I double checked the temp with a Fahrenheit thermometer and found that 37 C was 99.5 F. There is a way to calibrate the incubator, but I just left it at 37 C. The incubator held the temperature steady very well. It has a fan to keep heat even, and it heats up rather quickly.
The incubator does include an automatic turner. I could only fit 9 eggs in the turner. The egg turner moves very slowly continuously. You cannot see it move, but it does work well. It rolls the eggs to the left, then back to the right. You can use the incubator without the turner and it will hold more eggs. I am incubating 13 eggs now and turning them manually 3 times a day.
I do not add any humidity until lock down, then I add about a half cup of warm water, and more at day 20 if needed.
Things I like about the Magicfly incubator: If hatching 9 or less eggs, you can set it up with the automatic egg turner and you don't have to do anything until day 18 lock down. Lock down is easy. Just remove the turning tray, one level and add warm water. There is good ventilation. Clean up is very easy.
What I don't like about the Magicfly incubator: There is no viewing window to observe hatch. The incubator is made of translucent plastic that you can see through somewhat. It helps to keep the sides wrapped with a towel to keep condensation down. I did open the incubator to remove the chicks that hatched early and remove their eggshells. I had to assist removing the last two chicks from their shells due to membrane shrink wrap, probably my fault because I opened the incubator, but the fan could have contributed. I recommend putting a cloth or nonslip surface in the floor of the incubator at lock down, because the eggs have a tendency to roll around. I think that may be the reason why the one from the first brood did not hatch, from being rolled into the side of the incubator by one of the earlier hatched chicks.
Overall, I am very satisfied with the Magicfly incubator and recommend it for anyone who wants to hatch a small brood. Good luck!

 

[mary3454]

I didn't know about the shelf liner. Fantastic tip! I'll grab some while I'm target today.

I'll have to play around with the egg turner when it's empty. Maybe that is the issue as one egg is fairly large. I have egg's in it right now, only one viable I think, but my shells are so dark, it's been confusing to candle. One day I think they are all duds, the next I see clearly the veining. This is all so fun and new, and a little scary! I feel like I'm approaching motherhood again for the first time! HA!

Thanks for the great tip. Off for shelf liner!

 

[Neezers Farm]

Yes, I know what you mean. I get anxious when they are hatching. I've learned not to candle before 7 days. However, I am going to start candling eggs before I start incubating them to prevent duds. I've found they usually are not viable due to cracks in the shell I couldn't see with the naked eye. I use the nonslip shelf material in the brooder for the first few days, to help them get their footing and prevent splay leg. I wash and reuse it. It was a tip someone else posted. Good luck with your hatch!

 

[dannyelle123]

Can anyone help me? When I set my magicfly to 38c... My inside temp on 2 seperate thermometers reads 92-95... Should I adjust it to be higher? Thanks

 

[WVduckchick]

Can anyone help me? When I set my magicfly to 38c... My inside temp on 2 seperate thermometers reads 92-95... Should I adjust it to be higher? Thanks

Google how to calibrate a thermometer and test the 2 separate ones, see which is most accurate. There are lots of tests out there, depending on the type of thermometers you have.

 

[dannyelle123]

Will do thanks! Has anyone had an issue where they needed to calibrate the actual incubator?