Ella2025's Experiment Broody Hen Hatch-A-Long

[ella2025]

Today is day 12. 6 days until lockdown and 9 days till hatch day!!!

 

[GreenJay]

Let's grow little chickies, you're safe in the incubator now!

 

[BoundlessLove]

Good morning, Spice eggs!
Both you egglets better grow and hatch!!

 

[ella2025]

Good morning, Spice eggs!
Both you egglets better grow and hatch!!

I'm so excited!!!!

 

[ella2025]

The incubators humidity is so inconsistent right now it's weird. This morning it dipped to 22%, so I adjusted the water to flow faster, then when I checked again, it went back up to the 40s. Then later it became 20 again. So I did that again and I went to check on it after a few hours, and it was at 75% which is absolutely bonkers. The entire bottom was covered in water and I sucked it up with paper towel to remove all the water. I'll check back in a few hours. What can I do to make humidity more consistent with a cheap incubator?

 

[GreenJay]

The incubators humidity is so inconsistent right now it's weird. This morning it dipped to 22%, so I adjusted the water to flow faster, then when I checked again, it went back up to the 40s. Then later it became 20 again. So I did that again and I went to check on it after a few hours, and it was at 75% which is absolutely bonkers. The entire bottom was covered in water and I sucked it up with paper towel to remove all the water. I'll check back in a few hours. What can I do to make humidity more consistent with a cheap incubator?

Try putting a small bowl or cup with water inside and a piece of sponge sticking up out of it for evaporation.

 

[ella2025]

Try putting a small bowl or cup with water inside and a piece of sponge sticking up out of it for evaporation.

Thank you! Does the sponge help it evaporate faster? I currently have a setup that came with my incubator that is a plastic water bag with a tube and a rolling thing on that tube that controls how narrow the tube gets so it's adjustable. The tube goes right in through a hole in the incubator and it's not super reliable. The rolling device is either letting out water very fast or not at all. I will try this since there's only 2 rollers in the incubator right now. Also, the incubator comes in a styrofoam box (it kind of wraps around the clear part of it) and the top is solid white. Should i take the foam off or leave it? because now i cannot see at all whether eggs are being turned, water droplets on the walls, etc.

 

[kattabelly]

She wouldn't have made it with that large dent and crack

Under a broody with other chickens around would obviously be far more risky but I've successfully hatched eggs in an incubator that were cracked and dented at least as much as that, so long as the membrane underneath is still intact. I just put a bit of silicone sealant over the cracks and gave it a couple of minutes for the worst of the curing fumes to dissipate before putting the egg back in the incubator. Both times I've done it, the chick hatched unaided and apparently healthy.

I realise it's too late this time but just mentioning that in case it's useful for anyone to know in future.

 

[ella2025]

Under a broody with other chickens around would obviously be far more risky but I've successfully hatched eggs in an incubator that were cracked and dented at least as much as that, so long as the membrane underneath is still intact. I just put a bit of silicone sealant over the cracks and gave it a couple of minutes for the worst of the curing fumes to dissipate before putting the egg back in the incubator. Both times I've done it, the chick hatched unaided and apparently healthy.

I realise it's too late this time but just mentioning that in case it's useful for anyone to know in future.

Thank you! Will definitely do in the future.

 

[GreenJay]

Thank you! Does the sponge help it evaporate faster? I currently have a setup that came with my incubator that is a plastic water bag with a tube and a rolling thing on that tube that controls how narrow the tube gets so it's adjustable. The tube goes right in through a hole in the incubator and it's not super reliable. The rolling device is either letting out water very fast or not at all. I will try this since there's only 2 rollers in the incubator right now. Also, the incubator comes in a styrofoam box (it kind of wraps around the clear part of it) and the top is solid white. Should i take the foam off or leave it? because now i cannot see at all whether eggs are being turned, water droplets on the walls, etc.

Yes, the sponge creates more surface area for evaporation.
I'd take the styrofoam off unless there's some directions that say it's supposed to be on. How would you see in otherwise?
Also, where is the incubator located? Don't want vents blowing AC or heat on it or sunlight shining on it.