I have a Genesis 1588 Hovabator, and it has one 1/2" vent hole on the ceiling, and a couple of pencil-width holes around the perimeter of the incubator's floor. I have done 24 hatches and, in every single one, the chicks are panting and I always end up with 20-40% chicks that died in the shell before pipping. I have been suspicious for the last couple of hatches that my problem is lack of oxygen via good ventilation, and I believe I should make one or more additional vent holes to allow for it. I leave the ceiling hole open all the time, and I have tried elevating the incubator so that the floor holes can receive more air flow, but this has not seemed to make a difference.
Does anyone know where the best place to put a vent hole would be, how wide it should be, and whether or not I should make more than one?
Does anyone know where the best place to put a vent hole would be, how wide it should be, and whether or not I should make more than one?