Do you have a Little Giant? Do you love or hate it?

[justbugged]

Thank you for that info. I know that when I get a new wafer. I will give it try using your method. I have not tried hatching any eggs because I couldn't get it temperature stable, and then it all fell apart in my hands. Maybe I will just try put it back together and give a try again. It is like new condition. I will just need to screw it back together. I don't have any eggs to hatch so it wouldn't a bad time to try and get it stabilize.

 

[mothersin2ition]

Wow chookschick, thank you! That is some great advice

 

[ChooksChick]

I forgot to add the thermometers have a little green suction cup- I leave it on and move it to the tip end for one, and the top end on another, and the middle for the third. This make them a slight bit different in elevation in the incubator as the turner moves, and you can average them for the true temp.

 

[ChooksChick]

ACK!! One more thing. If you only have one machine, it's best to use cardboard cartons to hatch them. Otherwise when you take out the turner they're laying so much lower than they were in the turner the temps are no longer appropriate and they're way too cold.

If you have had both plug out the whole time, you might be able to get the right temp for them lying on the floor by just plugging both holes, but that's an unknown facto until you've tried it. I use a separate machine as the hatcher.

 

[woogie g3]

a ton of people have answered but im going to also!!!

i have a little giant bator with turner!
the first couple hatches weren't great but every hatch got better as i learned how to get it perfect.
and i have a still air and my last hatch was almost perfect. so if you do it right it can be as good as i high dollar one.

 

[geosheets]

I've got 2 I use for hatching... I have good luck with them but I don't mess with the thermostat at all. Once I got it set I leave it alone. The only bad thing about them is that the stat is very finicky... the slightest turn changes the temp several degrees. So, once you get it right, leave it alone.

 

[speedy2020]

I got 1 free from Craigslist with few missing parts. The temperature swing 93F-103F in the last few days. Anyway, the incubator will be lock down 8/19. I am not sure if the eggs will hatch or not. Base on what I've read, the Hoverbator is much better control humidity above 60.

 

[TyrannosaurusChix]

chooks chick gave you tons of great advice!!! I now have two, and let me just add that the new lg bators i have has eerything except the heating element enclosed! My temps hold steady within 1.5 degrees going from 85+ in the house to 72. they do really do a good job in regulating.


I also totally agree about getting it regulated for a whole day+ BEFORE you add eggs. This isnt just for temperature, but also for your humidity! I have found adding water through a syringe only throught he top window or run tubing in through a vent hole works wonders for consistancy also. do not make one adjustment after another.. You will get wild temperatures becaus eyou havent let your one adjustment run its course before the next. Thats why its always good to get it stabilised first.


The temp will drop when you first add eggs. mine went down to 85 right after i got my eggs in.. i also use 3+ thermometers and 1-2 hygrometers in each. use the law of averages!!! if one thermometers red bulb is near the element and the other one is in the middle and they only read 2 degrees from each other and the digital reads in the middle.. .. its a great temp.


I really really DO suggest rigging up your water like mine. its the most stable thing ive seen. in my experience adding water manually with the top off is just way to stressful and messy and pretty non- precise!!! If you would like a picture of it i have one ive posted before....

fishtank tubing( i got at a dollar store for 50 c) and the large syringe is sold at tractor supply .. for 1.99 ( it doesnt come with a needle so no worries)
oh that thermometer in the window is $1 @ walmart. buy more than one and take note of their readings in the store. ones that read the same are more likely to be correct.

Edited to add: i also cut up brand new plain sponges into strips and put them into the water wells where my fishtank tubing is run to. When i need to refill, i just pull the syringe off the tubing, refill and reattach.

 

[gvntofly05]

As a couple of others have already stated, stabilize the temp before adding any eggs.

When I pull mine out of hibernation I run it for 2-5 days empty to make sure the temp is good. I also keep it in a area with very little temp fluctuations.

I have had it running almost 4 months straight and I have not had to adjust the temp once. I have great hatch rates, 90% + and I have had a couple 100% hatches.

 

[puredelite]

Have been using the LG's for 10 yrs. or more, they seem to work well for what they are and what they cost. Have even had eggs hatch after the turner motor burned up at some point during the 21 days and eggs went for days without being turned. Like others I use one for incubating w/ turner and one w/out turner for hatching.