First time duck hatcher. HELP!!!!

[vkp23]

I'm getting white crested pekin duck eggs by tomorrow. I have built an incubator and it's doing like it's supposed to. My problem is all the bulbs I've tried have been too hot or too cold. I read ducks need to be at 98-99 but right now it's holding at 94.8 and 45% humidity. Any tips on how to rise the temp and humidity? If all else fails can I mist the eggs every so often with warm water? Do you think it would work if I took the light out of the bator and put the metal shade back on the light fixture and placed a higher watt (40 watt incandesent. Right now I have a 100 watt equivilant energy saver in there) and placed it slightly above the glass that will keep the heat up with out letting it get too hot? the 40 watt bulb placed in the bater had it at 101 easy. And I didn't let it get up to full heat. It would have probly been more like 104-105. Any help and ideas welcome.

 

[giasmom]

I think it would probably help us to help you if we could see some pics of you set up .

 

[vkp23]

It would take me a few min but I can post some.

 

[giasmom]

We'll wait. BTW welcome to BYC.

 

[vkp23]

thank you! And since I'm new stupid me can't figure out how to post a pic! LOL!

 

[vkp23]

Those holes you see in the side have been plugged up. I fashoned a platform of sorts out of tin foil with HUNDREDS of holes poked in it so I could have a pool of water in the bottom with a bunch of coton balls added to it to create more serface area of water exposed.

 

[giasmom]

Sending you a PM. Okay ignore the PM thing I see you figured out how to post pic. So is there a fan in there ? Have you checked that you thermometer is correct to start with. My bator is approx that size And I run a 40 watt soft bulb in mine.

 

[giasmom]

I don't see a thermostat in there either. It will be hard to regulate temps without a stat.

 

[vkp23]

It's a still air. I can fashon a small battery operated fan that I have onto it but I'm affraid the low setting would still be too cold. There it a thermostat/humidity gage in there. that what the little calculator looking thing in there is. It's NOT a calculator though don't worry! LOL!

 

[giasmom]

Quote:
No, thats a thermometer/ humidity gage you have in there, NOT a thermostat! You need some sort of thermostat hooked to your heating source to turn it on and off to regulate the heat. Such as one out of a hot water heater. That way when the heat gets up to the right temp the heat source cuts off. Then when it gets below the right temp in the bator the heat source will automatically come back on again. No worries on my part, I knew what the gage thing was ! Just trying to help you.