Brinsea Improved and expanded Mini and Ovation incubators

[enggass]

Again, humidity is less important than temps - that being said, you don't want maxed out humidity during incubation or dry environment during hatch - Location of incubator and climate where you live play a part as well. I'd say you have been fortunate somewhat...

 

[ronott1]

So I am reading the back and forth as we are getting ready to purchase the ovation 28 advanced. We have had the maxi mini with Turner but no humidity Guage. We have never checked humidity only kept the tray filled when needed. Our hatches have always been 99-100%. Are we lucky

No, not at all. Humidity has a large range of safe. If you are in the range from 35% to 50% you will have a fine hatch. Temperature stability is much more important.

 

[gatorfig]

Hey there!
Forgive me, in advance, as this is my first time posting in BYC (but I've used the resources countless times, so thank you!).
I actually have the Ovation 56 EX and am on the third incubation already. I've really liked it, although there are a couple of things that have tripped me up so far (this is my first Brinsea, and by in large, I really am happy with it).
If you have any interest, I wrote a review on it here.
If you have any questions, I'm happy to help however I can (or can't, I'm definitely doing more learning from everyone here).
I hope something there helps, and everyone have a great week!

 

[rasheika]

can I ask, because I am getting ready to lockdown in 2 days and I have a couple of questions~ you were so helpful before. I battled with the humidity the whole time and did all the things you said and ended up having to open incubator every day a couple times a day to put the water in and keep the humidity close to 40%. I am worried about the hatching phase how I will keep humidity up without opening all the time?
also, I need to take eggs out of the little trays and lay on the base? sorry, newbie, but we are almost there! also I read it's a good idea to lay cheesecloth under the eggs to help with the mess, is this a good thing?
thanks so much!!!

 

[henney penny]

I used a straw and squirted warm water into the trouth through the hole u open and close,still had a hard time keeping it at 60% but four out of 7 hatched.I used that rubbery shelf linner on the bottom but have used cheese cloth.I filled all my wells then put viva paper towels in and brought them out onto the flat surface some.It stayed pretty good the first two days then had to keep adding water through straw

 

[gatorfig]

Hi rasheika!
I hope your hatch goes well!
I would fill the second reservoir, making sure you have balled up paper towels or a small washcloth of something in there to serve as a wicking agent (if it's just water, it doesn't help the humidity as much; if it's soaked into something else, then it can dissipate more easily). Additionally, if that's still not high enough, stuff little damp paper towels or small washcloths into the spaces between the dividers. Doing both of those tactics, when my house was at 17% in January, I got the humidity to 62% in the incubator.
Yes, you do have to carefully take the eggs out of the trays and lay them on the bottom floor. Make sure you wash your hands carefully before you touch the eggs at this point because they are especially porous!
The cheesecloth sounds cool, but honestly, this incubator is a cinch to clean (especially compared to the styrofoam incubators). I don't know if the cheesecloth could bunch up or not, as one consideration. You don't want it to trap their weak little legs while they're finding their footing. The ducklings did just fine on the floor as it was even before I added the liner I mentioned in the review.
Hope something in there helps! Looking forward to learning from more people!

 

[salsss]

I just got a Brinsea Mini Advance. Does anyone have suggestions for a hygrometer? I'm confused because if the egg turner is moving, won't the hygrometer get in the way? And if there's a probe in there, how do you get it there without changing the air temp/humidity? Wouldn't it create a space so the lid wouldn't set correctly?

Thanks for the help in advance!!

 

[henney penny]

I use a small digital square one that has temp and humidity,I lay it on top of the eggs and pushed up against the side so it doesn't fall over

 

[salsss]

I use a small digital square one that has temp and humidity,I lay it on top of the eggs and pushed up against the side so it doesn't fall over

So it stays in place? Is is large enough to cover two eggs? I have one like this already https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Digi...sr=8-5&keywords=thermometer+hygrometer+cigars ...used it in the mini eco.

 

[rasheika]

thanks-
Are you saying I should put the paper towel or sponge actually inside the water chamber? Also I'm nervous about removing the trees and setting the expectation. Just do it quickly and all will be well? Oh yeah, and what about the vet do I still leave it open or do I close it slightly?
Thank you!!!!!