Anyone use a "Little Giant"???

[Fudgie]

I agree that if you can afford a "better" one then do so. Lg's are not top of the line, they just allow the general public to hatch some chickies with their kiddos.

I unplug the turner at day 18 but don't remove them from the turner rack until one pips. Then I move them.

If your home is not a constant temperature you will DEFINATELY have issues keeping the temp consistent. Ours is in the basement and has done pretty well. It stays pretty consistent there. Some people use a closet to keep the drafts down.

 

[sunnychooks]

Quote:
Fudgie - Are you talking about the liner that feels rubbery? Do you put the shelf liner down for the entire incubation period? Doesn't that affect the humidity from coming up through the liner?
I'm doing my first hatch in a LG with no turner and I'm having a difficult time turning the eggs because they keep rolling back to the side I'm trying to turn them from. A liner would give a little more traction on the wire and solve this problem for me!

 

[Momma_Cluck]

This is the ONLY 'bator available where I live... unless I wan to take a chance on Ebay.... (erm--rather not...)

So-- I'll pick up a dimmer switch & shelf liner and choose a good place for the 'bator...

odd question tho--
does lighting make any difference before they pip?
If not-- I have a linen closet that would be perfect....??

 

[tellynpeep]

Quote:
I doubt it. It tends to be pretty dark under a hen. I do sometimes wonder though what those little chicks are thinking when they get candled : )

 

[Ruditchka]

Quote:
You can buy a bator from lots of web-sites rather than e-bay, this is the age of mail-order supplies of which a lot of times better bargains can be found as opposed to buying physically at your local stores. Every incubator is available where you live!


You can buy a bator from lots of web-sites rather than e-bay, this is the age of mail-order supplies of which a lot of times better bargains can be found as opposed to buying physically at your local stores. Every incubator is available where you live!

 

[wolfbaine30]

We have 2 going right now,1 with 6 eggs from around the house-set to hatch next weekend,and the other one we have 16 eggs from speckledhen-5 Blue Orps and 11 Barred EE's set to hatch Easter weekend.
We dont use a turner of a fan in either of ours and get decent hatch rates so far,but plan on trying to get a better one.There are alot of good posts on here discussing the LG and alot of people who know alot more about this than I do ( I just got the bug last Easter

). Maybe one of those people will pop in and give us all some good knowledge.
And good luck and happy hatching.

 

[Momma_Cluck]

I guess I forgot to mention We will only be using it ONCE-- maybe again in a couple years when our layers "slow down".....
I only expect like a 50% hatch rate due to my inexperience and the eggs I'm using..... tho do plan to buy some too.
Am looking to have only 10-15 new chicks.

 

[Fudgie]

Quote:
Fudgie - Are you talking about the liner that feels rubbery? Do you put the shelf liner down for the entire incubation period? Doesn't that affect the humidity from coming up through the liner?
I'm doing my first hatch in a LG with no turner and I'm having a difficult time turning the eggs because they keep rolling back to the side I'm trying to turn them from. A liner would give a little more traction on the wire and solve this problem for me!

Yes that rubbery stuff. It seems to help with keeping the humidity up throughout the whole hatch, not just at the last. I do like that part. It seems to me that the humidity is UP more rather than being hindered by the liner. It needs to be the stuff with HOLES actually in it not just the textured solid stuff.

 

[LilDucky85]

I love my LG so far. This is my first hatch but so far so great! I've had no problems so far. I got great advice before I started my hatch so I knew exactly what to expect, and what to do. I too had problems with the humidity but was told in advance what I could do. I count get it high enough for duck eggs so I put three extra water cups in the bottom (cut the bottom off plastic cups) and put damp wash cloths in the front and back. The humidity got up to 75% after this, then after misting 85%. With chicken eggs you shouldn't have as hard of a time with humidity. The one thing that was the most important piece of advice was NOT to turn the knob after setting the eggs. They eventually adjust to incubator temp and hold a steady temp then on.

So far 9 out of 9 are alive, and doing great!! There was one blood ring, and 7 infertile which don't count.

I hope you have a great hatch, keep us updated!!

 

[LilDucky85]

A few more things about the Little Giant....

-For me whether I have the red vent plug open, or closed it still keeps the same temp. and humidity.

-Once you test run the incubator and get it to desired temp, don't touch the knob! Everything will self adjust!

-Very important thing that no one mentioned: My entire back row of 6-8 eggs out of the 17 didn't develop! I'm using the egg carton method (cartons cut down the middle) and most of the infertile were in the back row. The two that I was unsure of I moved to the center of the incubator and they started to develop! Now I have two that are delayed in development compared to the others but they are alive, and doing well!