Apple Cider Vinegar?

[WendyF]

Hello,
I will be attempting to set my first hatching eggs next week. I have read that bacteria in the incubator is a major concern. Since raw organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar is a natural deterrent to microbes, would it be wise to put some in my humidity tray?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

I think you should just clean your incubator with ACV.

 

[WendyF]

I was planning on sterilizing everything with a bleach dilute, and allowing it to air dry for 24 hours. Do you think the vinegar is a better sterilizer?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Yup

 

[MrsBachbach]

I was planning on sterilizing everything with a bleach dilute, and allowing it to air dry for 24 hours. Do you think the vinegar is a better sterilizer?

No. Mold is a possibility with ACV use. I've seen it grow in containers with an organic ACV and water mix. A black mold grows on the inside of the container. So, I believe the heat and humidity of an incubator plus a residue of the ACV will encourage mold growth. I'd use the bleach because I sure wouldn't want to take a chance of that happening in the middle of an incubation.

 

[WendyF]

No. Mold is a possibility with ACV use. I've seen it grow in containers with an organic ACV and water mix. A black mold grows on the inside of the container. So, I believe the heat and humidity of an incubator plus a residue of the ACV will encourage mold growth. I'd use the bleach because I sure wouldn't want to take a chance of that happening in the middle of an incubation.

Thank you! I will definitely use the bleach as a sterilizer. I will not include ACV in my humidity tray, either.