Fan noise and vibration a conern for hatching?

[laputa]

My first egg just pipped today, and now I have a question regarding the fan noise/vibration for the chicks trying to push its way out.

I modded my still air hovabator with a fan mounted on the top, blowing air upwards. It definitely helped to stabilize the temperature and humidity.

I tried to mount the fan as stable as I can, with some buffer material to lower the vibration, still, when the fan is on, it has a low noise and vibration, I believe mostly coming from the motor.

The noise is not that loud, but it is something I don't want to sleep at night in the same room with. So it is definitely louder than a computer fan. I would say it is close to the noise from a fridge when a fridge turns on. And if I place my ear right next to the incubator, I don't think I can stand the noise for more than a minute.

Do you guys think this will in any way hurt the chicks and impede them from getting out? At this point I don't worry too much about if it hurts embryo since it is already at this late stage. Should I stop the fan and take some risk in the temperature/humidity fluctuation - will have to adjust the thermostat as well since the heat source from the fan will be gone, hoping the chicks still in the shell will do better without the noise?

Any input is much appreciated!

 

[Matt A NC]

Too much vibration can damage eggs during the incubation process, but not after hatch.

The sound will not hurt them. The issue is going to be attacting them. My chicks are always going for the fan in the hovabator. I hate hearing that ZING when one sticks it's head in the fan. Luckily the fans made for the bators are easily stopped and None have ever been hurt. If the fan is made for something else I might be worried.

Matt

 

[laputa]

The fan is something used for a small aquarium lamp, so power wise I am pretty sure it is even lower than the fan used for incubator. I can stick my finger in without getting hurt.

It would definitely be a major relief for me if the sound is not something the chicks will be bothered with. Put me in the chick's shoes however, I know I wouldn't want to come out of the shell because of the noise.

 

[racuda]

I thought about it too when I modded my LG. I think the Styrofoam acts like a sounding board to amplify the sound. I wondered if the noise and vibration would stress the chicks.

Maybe a different, shock absorbing mounting system would work better.

 

[Pick-a-LilyFarm]

I love the sound of a fan running....it helps me to sleep. Maybe the chicks are soothed by the sound.