Building my first coop! - progress thread

[K0k0shka]

Wohoo, check this out! First in warm water:


And then in ice water:

The frog is the medical thermometer. The two grey ones are high end cooking thermometers. I’m very pleased with the results, especially with the yellow thermometer’s accuracy, since that’s what I’ll be using.

 

[aart]

 

[K0k0shka]

Now, the hygrometer, on the other hand, I’m not so happy with. I did the salt test, left it overnight and it was showing 65% by morning. The salt was “a wet pile” like one article described. I added some more water to make it a “slurry” like another article described, and put it back in this morning. It climbed to 65 again but hasn’t progressed any further in a couple of hours... (it’s been 5 hours total now). Could it really be 10 points off? That seems like a lot ☹

 

[K0k0shka]

I did the towel test, and it showed 99%. So now I don't know what to think. It's inaccurate according to the salt test, but accurate according to the towel test. If I assume there might be a 10 point variance, can I aim for 30% humidity in the incubator for the first 18 days (knowing that it might in fact be 40%), and then raise it to 65% at lockdown (knowing that it might in fact be 75%)?

 

[aart]

Now, the hygrometer, on the other hand, I’m not so happy with. I did the salt test, left it overnight and it was showing 65% by morning. The salt was “a wet pile” like one article described. I added some more water to make it a “slurry” like another article described, and put it back in this morning. It climbed to 65 again but hasn’t progressed any further in a couple of hours... (it’s been 5 hours total now). Could it really be 10 points off? That seems like a lot ☹

It could, yes.....just adjust by adding 10% when taking your readings.
I wrote the diff right on my hygros.
Not near as important as temp is.

Here's some great reading on hatching:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-beginners-guide-to-incubation.73350/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/incubation-humidity.73386/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...gs-no-problem.1046313/page-5385#post-16540512

 

[K0k0shka]

It could, yes.....just adjust by adding 10% when taking your readings.
I wrote the diff right on my hygros.
Not near as important as temp is.

Here's some great reading on hatching:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-beginners-guide-to-incubation.73350/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/incubation-humidity.73386/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...gs-no-problem.1046313/page-5385#post-16540512

Wohoo, 3 out of 4 I’ve already read! Will read the 4th one, too. Thanks!

 

[K0k0shka]

Started working on the brooder. The box has double walls, so it’s very sturdy.

 

[K0k0shka]

I'm not quite ready to start my hatch thread, but I'm having incubator drama so I created another thread to ask for help just with the incubator situation. It's here.

 

[K0k0shka]

I decided to use bird netting for the brooder (for the top, the side window, and the bottom-hinged access door on the front). It’s easier to work with than chicken wire or HC, and does the same job. Are there any red flags with this idea? Can’t find much on the subject when searching. The brooder will be in the house for the first 2 weeks, then inside the coop after that (with the brooder door open so they can explore inside the closed coop).

I’m taping the bird netting down all along the edges, so no loose ends for the chicks to peck at:

 

[aart]

Should be ok.
How big are the openings?