Gloom, Despair, and Agony On Me!

[ChooksChick]

Quote:
Well, we like you, too!!

If you can swing it, I would recommend an Rcom 20 over any other incubator out there, hands down. Search for the threads about them- it's truly the best you can get for a zillion reasons. I managed to find one on ebay and while I'm well accustomed to the LG and have a ton of them, the rcom is where I put those special eggs I can't shove under a broody. It's the closest thing out there to a hen!

Next time you use the LG, think about putting those clay pellets they sell for reptile terrariums in there for heat ballast. You can pour water over them in the bottom to release moisture for humidity once you're ready to boost it at the end. Heat ballast is the best way to ensure stability even when the thermostat is wonky.

 

[Orange Ribbon]

Quote:
Thanks ChooksChick, I have been going over your LG instructions and they are helping me out. I am getting the temperature a little more stable, and doing it without adjusting the dial. I will check out that Rcom 20. Thanks again!

 

[blkwdw]

I use a plain Hovabator w/ turner...got it on Craigs list for $75 and it works like a charm, so far w/ two hatches it has been pretty much maintenance free... now if I can just leave it alone during Lockdown!

 

[Orange Ribbon]

Quote:
Leave it alone, leave it alone!

It seems the Hovabator is better than the LG from what I gather. I'm looking into that Rcom 20. Wow-wee that thing is expensive! Looks like it might be Orange Ribbon proof, though.

I might have to beg, borrow and steal to get it, but it sure beats messing up my eggs.

BTW, I checked on my LG this morning and it was down to 96 F. I should have got up in the middle of the night to look at it, but I was just too pooped. I had one hole plugged, so I plugged the other and it went up to 101.9. I took that back out, left the door to the shop open so some warmer air could get in the room in hopes that will even it back out.

Guess I better go check it out right now.

Well, what do you all think: Any chance I'll get at least one chicken mcnugget out of the bunch?

 

[LuvMyBLR]

Quote:
Leave it alone, leave it alone!

It seems the Hovabator is better than the LG from what I gather. I'm looking into that Rcom 20. Wow-wee that thing is expensive! Looks like it might be Orange Ribbon proof, though.

I might have to beg, borrow and steal to get it, but it sure beats messing up my eggs.

BTW, I checked on my LG this morning and it was down to 96 F. I should have got up in the middle of the night to look at it, but I was just too pooped. I had one hole plugged, so I plugged the other and it went up to 101.9. I took that back out, left the door to the shop open so some warmer air could get in the room in hopes that will even it back out.

Guess I better go check it out right now.

Well, what do you all think: Any chance I'll get at least one chicken mcnugget out of the bunch?

The Hovabator is great! I haven't heard anyone losing a hatch on the fault of a hova. And, as they go, it's not expensive.

Don't beat yourself up about not getting up at night to check the temp. The truth is, you shouldn't have to get up to check it. It should be holding temp all on it's own. even if the vents are in or out. It's not doing it's job right.

And chicks can be surprisingly hardy! There are some crazy stories out there and people still got one chick at least. Even with an LG

 

[1muttsfan]

Love my hovabator 1688. And there really is something special about hatching out your own chicks. I hope some of your hard luck eggs make it.

What to do with them once they hatch, now that is a different issue altogether. I actually snuck out to a friends house and dumped some little roos in one of her pens (shhh don't tell!)

 

[Orange Ribbon]

I might have to change the title of this topic to: Hope, Happiness and Joy On Me! Don't want to get too excited yet though.

But I did candle my eggs this evening after studying more on what they should look like. As you may know I started out with 19 Speckled Sussex and 7 Delaware eggs. I am down to 11 Speckled Sussex and 1 Delaware eggs. I can't see any details inside like blood vessels, but I did see some dark spots that I think could be an eye, and the size and shape of the darkened area in 10 eggs is just the right size for day 12. Two of the eggs I think are dead, but not totally sure yet. They didn't stink so I left them in for a little longer to see.

The incubator still goes haywire on the temps occasionally ranging from 97 to 102. I'm doing my best to keep it steady around 99.5, but it is a battle. I guess one good thing about having to take leukemia medication is I often feel too bad to sleep so I can check on them through the night. Still, I wish I didn't have to. My eggs are in my shop about 100 yards from the house, and I also have spinal stenosis which is very painful. So even though I can't sleep, it would be nice to stay in bed and rest some.

Anyway, I apologize as I'm not intending to complain. I'm actually feeling much better about possibly getting something to hatch. I sure hope they do. I hate to be all worn out after 21 days for nothing!

 

[Memphisjourney2seramas]

I never give up until day 25! so there is plenty of hope still.

 

[NYRIR]

Keep us posted Orange Ribbon! I am so curious as to what will hatch! So sorry for all the trouble you are having

But if you get just ONE chick? It'll be worth it!

 

[LuvMyBLR]

When IS hatch day anyway?