First time incubator questions.

[jbol]

Yesterday I saw a little movement in one egg when candling. And it's set at 38°c. I can't hear any sounds though. But what could that gunk be on the eggs if there is no cracks or pips ?

 

[duluthralphie]

It's set automatic at 38°c and I cannot hear anything but I saw a black thing move inside one egg, I'm guessing that's the chick but that was yesterday. Do you know what that gunk could be as there are no cracks in my eggs

No idea.

 

[chant]

Last night we installed the new Fan Kit in the LG incubator. I put the dry sterilized river rocks in the channels around the perimeter (leaving the channels under the heater vacant) with no water added to the incubator. I have 4 thermometers places inside sitting on top of the egg turner - 3 are the aquarium ones suggested, 1 digital (new batteries installed) that also reads humidity, and of course the LG temp pad. The 3 aquarium ones are at 7:00, 2:00 (moved about a 1/4" towards the heat/fan box), & 4:00; the digital hygrometer-thermometer is sitting at 10:00, and the LG temp is sitting at 6:00.
Hope this makes sense. Note the thermometer at 2:00 (on the top right) is reading 130°F while everything else is somewhat close in temp. Additionally, the digital hygrometer-thermometer I put in the corner reads the humidity level is 23%, 1/2 of what the LG reads. So, I understand not to worry about humidity until day 18 or so, but how is one to know which reading to go by? The temperature given by the LG fluctuates between 98°-101.4F in a matter of seconds.
Would the best way to utilize this be to just put eggs around the perimeter and avoid the center? If so, if the eggs do end up hatching, won't that burn the chicks who roll under the heat/fan unit?
Should I even trust this thing? Thoughts?

 

[DesertBrahma]

I honestly don't know the answer to these questions. I'm now on day 1 again with my newest batch of eggs. I know my last batch I saw movement on day 10, and a lot of movement on days 15, and 18. I have 3 probesin 3 ddifferent areas of the incubator. They're all pretty close to the same temp on all of them. Hopefully this means I'll have better results than I have had. I also have 2 hygrometers. The humidity is pretty close on both of those too. I have 1 temp probe sitting directly on top of the eggs in the middle, and the others on the sides. That way I can keep a better eye on things.

 

[duluthralphie]

I have joined the ranks of the hatching snobs with a sportsman, however, I still use the foam ones as hatchers. I like being able to separate the different varieties that are hatching into their own hatcher, for example, CLB's in one, RIR in another and BA's in the last one.

As I think I said earlier I use the certified thermometers (used for checking a woman's fertility cycle), I put the rocks in the incubators after reading the idea here. I totally ignore the thermometer that came on or with the unit. They are worthless.

Once I have it set I make sure to never bump the adjustment. It seems to do ok, but my eggs are only in them for 2-3 days. I have thought about only using them on hatching day, and keeping them in the hatching area of the sportsman.

I have turners for all my foam ones. (which I only use now to store eggs on prior to going into the incubator). Whether hatching or incubating in them I placed the eggs in foam egg cartons I had cut the bottom of each egg hole out of and the cover off. I hatch in them still. If you have a fan I do not think it will matter where you set them. I keep mine under the windows with a thermometer on top of the carton so I can watch them. I also have 2-3 indoor/outdoor thermometers in each foam incubator so I can watch the trends if any occur. I place them in different places and have made channels in the lip of the cover to run the wires through.

DO not chase the temps. The LG is my favorite one as a hatcher, the element and fan is higher than my farm innovators are. I have never had a bird in the fan or burn themselves on it.

I trust mine, but I constantly verify too.

 

[FridayYet]

I honestly don't know the answer to these questions. I'm now on day 1 again with my newest batch of eggs. I know my last batch I saw movement on day 10, and a lot of movement on days 15, and 18. I have 3 probesin 3 ddifferent areas of the incubator. They're all pretty close to the same temp on all of them. Hopefully this means I'll have better results than I have had. I also have 2 hygrometers. The humidity is pretty close on both of those too. I have 1 temp probe sitting directly on top of the eggs in the middle, and the others on the sides. That way I can keep a better eye on things.

Make sure you rotate the eggs when you turn or candle - corners to middle, etc. so that the eggs get moved around the bator and you don't have some constantly in "hot spots"

 

[FridayYet]

Last night we installed the new Fan Kit in the LG incubator. I put the dry sterilized river rocks in the channels around the perimeter (leaving the channels under the heater vacant) with no water added to the incubator. I have 4 thermometers places inside sitting on top of the egg turner - 3 are the aquarium ones suggested, 1 digital (new batteries installed) that also reads humidity, and of course the LG temp pad. The 3 aquarium ones are at 7:00, 2:00 (moved about a 1/4" towards the heat/fan box), & 4:00; the digital hygrometer-thermometer is sitting at 10:00, and the LG temp is sitting at 6:00.
Hope this makes sense. Note the thermometer at 2:00 (on the top right) is reading 130°F while everything else is somewhat close in temp. Additionally, the digital hygrometer-thermometer I put in the corner reads the humidity level is 23%, 1/2 of what the LG reads. So, I understand not to worry about humidity until day 18 or so, but how is one to know which reading to go by? The temperature given by the LG fluctuates between 98°-101.4F in a matter of seconds.
Would the best way to utilize this be to just put eggs around the perimeter and avoid the center? If so, if the eggs do end up hatching, won't that burn the chicks who roll under the heat/fan unit?
Should I even trust this thing? Thoughts?

Have you calibrated any of the thermometers with the ice test or the humidity with the salt test? With that kind of range, you have to know which ones are off and by how much.

 

[DesertBrahma]

Thanks, i will definitely do that. I have the candle days marled out for 7 10 15 and 18 then lock down. I already have my chart made out and am recording temp and humidity. I really hope this works this time. I'm adding a little bit of water to the sponges in the morning to make sure it stays between 30 and 40%. So far it's been about 34 35. Temp went down a little over night but only a degree or 2. It's been at 103 most of the day.

 

[sassycassy427]

What age does a hen have to be to set on their eggs..My hens are 6 months old laying eggs really good, a couple lays 2 eggs a day, Mr Chico (my roo) is doing his job on fertility..Some say that the hen will stay in the box, bit all mine are out all the time, they lay & come out..Just want to sea Baby hatch then I will have seen & done all..lol.. Ty all in advace..Love this site!#

 

[feedman77]

Some breeds may or may not ever go broody.

I don't havr bantams but they say they are really good brooders.

I have several breeds the only hen I had go broody was a black sex link. She was 4 years old.

So when is hard to answer.