Calling help: update humidity ?

[tiki244]

Thanks for the answer----sounds like you have yourself quite the setup too!

 

[hart31]

This is the first time we've hatched in about 10 years. I have an old Sear & Roebuck incubator but I wanted one which would be easy for my granddaughters to see into. And I like the challenge of building my own equipment from junk

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=5810

I am also going to set up a web cam so they can see the hatching chicks if they are at home instead of at grandma's and grandpa's

 

[tiki244]

Thats amazing hart31! and the old electric frypan thermostat, is that real accurite? I bet the kids are going to love that when they can watch it on the web cam. When are they due?

Kris

 

[hart31]

The frying pan thermostat is touchy to adjust--about 3/4 turn from 0 to 500 degrees

but it seems to have a very small differential (the difference between turning off and back on again)

I set the eggs the evening of January 31st--so they should be coming about Feb. 21. There are 5 muscovy duck eggs in the bunch that won't be due until about March 5th. I'm going to move them to my old Sears incubator as soon as I get the temp regulated because they should have more humidity than the chicken eggs.

 

[sgray136]

Yes Tiki we have chicks that are due to start hatching the evening of the 8th and then again on the 10th.

My temp fluctuates between 100.3 and 98.7 usually. I have been told that maintaining the temp strictly to 99.5 isn't necessarily bad as long as there is a pattern of consistancy.

I do like the idea of a frying pan thermostat. You would still have to play around with it until you get it set.

Have you had any sunny days? Could the sunlight have shown on your bator for awhile? Is there a heat vent near? I've also been told that the basement even though it's usually cooler than the rest of the house it is usually a more stable environment for the bator temp.

I also recall you changed the light bulb? It is possible that a smaller wattage bulb would raise the temp more slowly and be easier to catch if it attempts to spike.

I just thought of something... There has to be a temp alarm out there somewhere either medical or otherwise that would be a cheap way of being alerted to a temp spike. Hmmmmm?

 

[tiki244]

Quote:

good luck wiyh your hatch Sgray and thanks for the tip about the light bulb, I may switch to a smaller wattage (I have got all sizes now)

 

[tiki244]

Quote:
That thermostat sounds tricky but its working for you, good for you!!!

Good luck on your hatch also hart31!!!

 

[sgray136]

I just read your original thread again... I thought you were using the hot water thermostat as recommended by Ms. Prissy? You advised you were using the wafer type? I have been warned away from the wafer type...

 

[tiki244]

thanks for the link , it really is a good idea for the seriouse incubatorist. I just may get one.


I switched out my thermostat today to the hot water heater one again, I think my first bator I just had everything positioned wrong. So far the temp is pretty steady but when I get a chance I will get one of the digital ones.