Bator to full?

[Mareloo]

Greetings from a sunny South Africa!

I have been a lurker around this site for a couple of weeks now..

After reading some of the questions asked, I truly feel totally free to ask ANYTHING!! You folks are really some of the most patient, friendliest people I have ever met online.

I am a relative newbie in all things considering chickens (and posting pics) and have to agree.. It is addictive!

Recently my brother gifted me with just over a hundred eggs.. (a very, very long story)

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd191/Mareloo_photo/hoendes038.jpg

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd191/Mareloo_photo/hoendes037.jpg

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd191/Mareloo_photo/hoendes036.jpg

I am very worried.. Is this bator not to small? It is only day 3. Meaning I haven't candled any of the eggs yet.. Still.. Will there be enough room for the chicks?

On another note.. In a smaller bator I got. (First time! Yah!!) It is day 20 today. I am also very worried about that lot. After reading some of the posts here, I realize I am going to have a bigger problem than first thought. I cant get the humidity higher than 50%. Have any of you got any suggestions for a last ditch (desperate) effort for me to get the humidity up?

Also another question.. LOL, It will be the last one in this post.. If it is true that eggs can still hatch 5 days after due date.. and I stopped turning them on day 18.. wont it be to long without turning? Maybe sneak in and give them a sneak turn? or not..

Mareloo
whoispanicking!!

 

[Youngfamily1989]

Mareloo,
I've heard of misting the eggs with water the last couple of days. My humidity was off; luckly I was there to help the chicks out with the dried membrane. Take a look at the thread on helping chicks out and you can prepare if you think you're going to have trouble. Best of Luck

Brian

 

[Mareloo]

Quote:
Ty for answering Brain. I have read it front to back. It is fascinating! I will be prepared!

How do I mist? (How?) if I am not allowed to open the bator?

 

[silkiechicken]

The bator spacing is fine. I say rotate the locations of the eggs just in case there are temperature variations in the box. After they hatch you'll need a brooder but for now it is fine. To increase humidity, if you can put a fan over the cups in the bottom that will help. More surface area for water is key so adding sponges would also work. I would avoid getting the eggs wet as that can breed bacteria. Not what you want.

 

[Mareloo]

Quote:
Thank you..

That is another thing I don't understand.. I have already got every centimeter of the bottom of the box covered with anything/everything that will hold water and fit. Were do I put the sponges to be exact? Inside the water holders? Maybe on a platform above the eggs? Same level? LOL (Don't fall of your chair laughing!!)

If I do put a fan in (that will only be the next time around) Do I lift the eggs closer to the light? The design currently haven't got enough space for a fan (but can be changed) Will them being closer to the heat source not kill them?

 

[silkiechicken]

You can put the fan anywhere, even over the water cups so as to not take up egg space. It just needs to circulate air. A small computer fan would work just fine. As for sponges, have them like stick out of the cups to increase surface area. Like a wick in a way. I actually think they will be fine with the humidity at 50%. After you candle at like day 10, I bet you'll have more room at the top to put in more water or sponges, since not every egg will get fully developed. Doesn't matter how close they are to the heat source, as long as the temperature over all the eggs is at 100 degrees. Too hot or cold they could die or just not make it to the end. That's why I suggest rotation so they are more equally heated. Good luck!

Edit: I notice you have a large long egg in there, generally those have double yolks so it might have been better as breakfast. In the future when setting, it is best to take out eggs that have funny shapes, cracks, or shells too thin, this will be better for space and disapointment reasons.

 

[Mareloo]

Quote:
I did wonder about that egg.. I couldn't get over my heart to eat it.. LOL

I understand the sponges and fan now. Thank you for taking the time to explain.

I do change there positions 4 times a day. We work in celsuis here. It is suppose to be 38.88 but knowing that and keeping it up is another thing. I have a constant struggle with it. I think humidity and temperature is linked. Meaning, the second the humidity drop the temperature rises. I wonder how many I have killed in that manner..

The box in the pic humidity is only 40.. I meant the eggs that is in the smaller bater that must hatch tomorrow is only 50%. Will that be okay also?

 

[silkiechicken]

Trying to keep it at 50 is best but, they should be fine. Temperature is more important than humidity in my opinion. And yes, temp and humidity are inversely related! Good luck!

 

[Mareloo]

Quote:
Allow me to test your patience just a little longer, please.

I can hook the computer fan up to go on with the lights. I am guessing they don't need constant circulation..(?) The thing is.. A computer fan is only 12 volt and our electricity is 240.. Will that still work?

AND.. Then it wont be a still air incubator anymore?

 

[skeeter9]

My gosh! You are incubating a lot of eggs!!! What breeds are they?

You're bator looks interesting. Could you post pics of the outside, etc? I'm always looking for bator ideas.

Oh, and yes, once you install a fan, your bator won't be a still air any longer.

Best of luck with your hatches.