2 for 1 bator

[Chickapooh23]

I am going to try to hatch some eggs in my homemade bator again. I have had poor hatches and am making some changes to my system to help inprove the temp control.

Right now it's just on and I am watching the temp. Then is hit me that the pepper seeds I started on Mon. do better with warm soil so I stuck them in there. Does anyone know if this will throw off the hatch if I would leave some of them in for the Hatch? (I do not have eggs in it and am looking at setting some next week.)

I put a couple of water bottles in there to help regular the temp but I was wondering if a plastic container with dirt would do the same thing.

Any thoughts?

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

I don't know about putting the dirt in the incubator, but you gave me a great idea. I could sit my seed starter tray on top of the incubator and the heat from the bator would heat the soil to help the germination process.

Thanks!

 

[wegotchickens]

Bacteria might be an issue. Don't want to make the eggies ill.

 

[Chickapooh23]

Hey that's a good idea too. The dirt is is a container. I am not just throwing it in there. I cleaned my bator today before I hooked it up. And it isn't leaking anyway either.

 

[freshegg]

we start are plants in a empty fish tank with lid and lights same thing we will use for brooder.

 

[Smartie_Pants]

Quote:
Still, I would be weary. You don't know what bacteria and germs are in the dirt and just because it is in a container doesn't mean it won't contaminate the eggs.

 

[Akane]

If your using seed starter it's sterilized and usually doesn't even contain actual dirt. It should have no risk of bacteria. There is a slight risk of mold or fungus if it stays too wet though. The humidity might be an issue.

 

[98 gt]

Before planting the seeds, bake the dirt in the oven to kill fungi and bacteria...
(we bake ours on our wood stove in the green house)

 

[UrbanMama]

PM rebelcowboysnb, I believe they use put plants etc. in the bator to help w/ oxygen and humidity... I think it's a neat idea!

 

[Chickapooh23]

Quote:
I haven't add water to the pan yet and the humidity is staying about 40 - 50%. What is the recommended humity for the first 18 days, 40%? Would that be too high?