Last night I started six Silkie eggs in a Little Giant still air incubator w/auto egg turner to which I've added a digital hygrometer, Water Wiggler, and an alligator clip on the control knob for easier temp adjustment.
I had a stable 99.5 F. temp reading on the inside of the Water Wiggler before putting the eggs into the incubator. After putting the room temp eggs in the 'bator the temp dropped to about 97.3 F. and slowly crept back to 98 point something by 2 a.m. I'm assuming the temporary initial drop in temp is normal because of the new load in the 'bator.
With minor temp control adjustments, the 'bator is now back up to a 99.5 F. reading inside the Water Wiggler, although thermometer built into the hygrometer reads 102 F. for air temp inside 'bator. Humidity level is hovering at about 62%. From reading other's post, it sounds like I'm within tolerance levels or maybe just a little high on the humidity. Although from what I can gather these inexpensive hygrometers aren't the most accurate things in the world.
I'm so excited about these eggs. I was up to 2 a.m. hovering over the 'bator to make sure the temps didn't overshoot. Then back up at 7 a.m. for another temp check, slept till 9 a.m., then back to the 'bator again. Hopefully, I'll become less anxious as the days progress. Otherwise I'll be needing some anxiety medication by day 21.
I gave the other six Silkie eggs to "Broody Betty" my buff cochin bantam who couldn't be broken easily from her broodiness. Betty seems much calmer and more confident than me.
~Donald in North Augusta, SC
http://dad-who-spins.blogspot.com/
I had a stable 99.5 F. temp reading on the inside of the Water Wiggler before putting the eggs into the incubator. After putting the room temp eggs in the 'bator the temp dropped to about 97.3 F. and slowly crept back to 98 point something by 2 a.m. I'm assuming the temporary initial drop in temp is normal because of the new load in the 'bator.
With minor temp control adjustments, the 'bator is now back up to a 99.5 F. reading inside the Water Wiggler, although thermometer built into the hygrometer reads 102 F. for air temp inside 'bator. Humidity level is hovering at about 62%. From reading other's post, it sounds like I'm within tolerance levels or maybe just a little high on the humidity. Although from what I can gather these inexpensive hygrometers aren't the most accurate things in the world.
I'm so excited about these eggs. I was up to 2 a.m. hovering over the 'bator to make sure the temps didn't overshoot. Then back up at 7 a.m. for another temp check, slept till 9 a.m., then back to the 'bator again. Hopefully, I'll become less anxious as the days progress. Otherwise I'll be needing some anxiety medication by day 21.
I gave the other six Silkie eggs to "Broody Betty" my buff cochin bantam who couldn't be broken easily from her broodiness. Betty seems much calmer and more confident than me.
~Donald in North Augusta, SC
http://dad-who-spins.blogspot.com/