Got my bator, some questions.

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
I love my mutt eggs

The chicks seem hardier and stronger than pure bred chicks - or maybe it's just my imagination. Either way, I like the mutt chicks, for my own flock. I'll be doing pure breds by next spring for folks who want to buy only pure bred chicks, though.

My first batch I had some bought eggs, but I also hatched some of ShelleyD's dad's eggs - some were pure some mutts, he had them all running in the same pen. The shipped eggs didn't do as well as the eggs I picked up from Shelley's house myself. I haven't had much luck with shipped eggs.

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
Try putting a tiny mark on the knob with a marker - it'll let you know how far you're turning the knob.

Shelley copped a knob off an old box fan to stick on her little knob

I just use the marker - it is just as good.


Oh, and when you turn it, try not to turn it hardly at all, just enough to make the light go off or on. Then when it hits the temp you want (with the light on) turn it til the light JUST goes off.

 

[dave_Cash69]

all this adjusting is making me sleepy.

 

[NancyDz]

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Yea although I would wait a while between turning it, it takes a little while to stabilize so the light will go on and off a few times before that happens. I never adjust it again until after it holds a temp for at least an hour. Otherwise it may already be cranked enough but just hasnt got up to the temp yet. if you turn it up again pretty soon it will all the sudden jump to 106 before you realize it.

Obviously if it's 106 you need to turn it down but only one little smidgen, then wait. And whenever I take the lid off, give it an hour before adjusting. Once it's set you shouldnt have to change it during the 1st 18 days... unless the temp of the room changes drastically

Also if it jumps in temp when you have the eggs in there or humidity is too high, take the lid off for a minute, that will help get it down or lose the humidity some.

 

[NancyDz]

Yea when I bought mine from someone she gave me 36 EE eggs along with it... that worked out well for my first hatch, only 8 of them hatched though but it was a good learning experience.

Nancy

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
Yeah, the first hatch usually isn't that great ratio. But you learn a lot on the first hatch, because you sit and stare at the bator as often as possible

I'm amazed when I see folks post on here they had 80% or 100% on their first hatch - lucky people.

 

[dave_Cash69]

Mojo Chick'n :

Quote:
Try putting a tiny mark on the knob with a marker - it'll let you know how far you're turning the knob.

Shelley copped a knob off an old box fan to stick on her little knob

I just use the marker - it is just as good.


Oh, and when you turn it, try not to turn it hardly at all, just enough to make the light go off or on. Then when it hits the temp you want (with the light on) turn it til the light JUST goes off.

okay, i did this at 101.
i turned it just to the left just til the light turned off after it hit 101.

when will the light kick back on?
and should i just leave it alone now?​

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
Try putting a tiny mark on the knob with a marker - it'll let you know how far you're turning the knob.

Shelley copped a knob off an old box fan to stick on her little knob

I just use the marker - it is just as good.


Oh, and when you turn it, try not to turn it hardly at all, just enough to make the light go off or on. Then when it hits the temp you want (with the light on) turn it til the light JUST goes off.

okay, i did this at 101.
i turned it just to the left just til the light turned off after it hit 101.

when will the light kick back on?
and should i just leave it alone now?

I'd leave it alone for at least an hour and see what it does.

once you let the time pass (

) as long as it doesn't go over 101, then I'd leave it overnight, and see what it reads tomorrow morning.

 

[dave_Cash69]

okie doke, ill check it at 12 and then go from there, but im going to head off of here.
please, both of you, check this thread frequently. im probably gonna need tips.

Adios!
and once gaain, thanks for all of your help.

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
Yeah, me too, gonna go watch some TV with hubby. I'll check back before I go to bed, though.