First time incubator...

[seussiii]

It's my first time trying to incubate and I've done some basic reading. Unfortunately my incubator seems a bit ancient. Its a little giant and has no humidity sensor and no digital temp display that I borrowed from a friend. I've been using a thermometer that I had previously from my brooder.

It has a very small touchy dial to increase and decrease temp and a trench for water in the bottom.

Will humidity be ok if i just keep the trench filled with water? And what if I keep the temp consistently between 98-100? Will that be good enough? It's been rough trying to micro adjust temp

I have 4 eggs in there now and they are on Day 2.

Looks like this one.

 

[Pyxis]

I wouldn't just fill one trough with water and assume it'll be okay - best to get a hygrometer so you can actually track it.

As for temperature, does this one have the fan kit added? Or does it have no fan? If no fan, then the temperature should be 101.5 degrees measured at the top of the eggs.

 

[abraga]

I always keep two hygrometors in my bators. I never nust rely on the one on the unit. As incubators get used..the older ones cN b off by a few degrees. I set mine @99.7..right now..better to run bator dry..especially if you r in a humid area..or just add a small amount if water. If humidity is to high..it will drown the chicks and they won't hatch because u will not get air cell development. In the meantime..get a hygrometer..i like the QCF digital one lot. Right now humidity should only be 40% and 70%at lockdown.

 

[seussiii]

There is a fan added to it.

I will leave the water and let it dry out a bit. I'm guessing i would raise the humidity towards the end of the cycle?

 

[blayt90]

I have one of these in my incubator. It seems to work well.

 

[seussiii]

Found this one since its a little cramped in there already.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079JB3YYL/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza

 

[blayt90]

It may be fine just need to check it and make sure it is accurate.

 

[abraga]

There is a fan added to it.

I will leave the water and let it dry out a bit. I'm guessing i would raise the humidity towards the end of the cycle?

I'm under the impression that you aren't quiet sure about temp/humidity accuracy in the bator. In the beginning of incubation it would be better to run the bator dry if you have no way to quage humidity. I would only add a tablespoon of water a day in the beginning at most. There are lots of charts that show how to determine air cell development and some weigh the eggs to. During the last week of incubation you can then start raising humidity to get your air cell development where you need it. I have had my share of incubator disasters. To much water..not enough water...ugh...it can be stressful!