Hatch Along 4th of March?

[Jed]

I thought about adding foam insulation as well. I saw another BYCer put card board around the sides of thier glass incubator. Have you hatched in the glass aquarium before? I had high & low temperature swings(92-103) during my first hatch a couple of years ago, and still had 70% hatch rate. If you think about it, I don't think a hen can keep all eggs at exactly 99.5 for the entire 21 days, so don't lose hope!

 

[meshellrose]

This is my first time too and I want to candle so bad... I made mine out of a styrofoam cooler and it's been holding steady at 100 with 40-45 % humidity. I would like to try the aquarium one too if I can find a cheap one, ours is in use at the moment..lol

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

Quote:

I thought about adding foam insulation as well. I saw another BYCer put card board around the sides of thier glass incubator. Have you hatched in the glass aquarium before? I had high & low temperature swings(92-103) during my first hatch a couple of years ago, and still had 70% hatch rate. If you think about it, I don't think a hen can keep all eggs at exactly 99.5 for the entire 21 days, so don't lose hope!

I haven't hatched in it before. I just finished adding the foam insulation and I put tinfoil over it to help keep it fire proof. The tempature went up to 102-103 when I was adding the insulation but I got it down to 99-100 in no time. I have had a couple scary tempature moments, but you are right. I don't see how a chicken can keep the tempature exactly 99.5 at all times. When she gets up to leave the nest the eggs have to go down to about 90 anyway. Pictures coming soon.

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

Here are some pictures of my incubator with the new foam insulation added. I apologize for the reflection.:


Here is a picture of the top of my incubator. Notice the soda cans. They are filled with water just to add weight to the top of the incubator to keep the foam insulation down (otherwise some moister will escape the incubator).

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

This is my first time too and I want to candle so bad... I made mine out of a styrofoam cooler and it's been holding steady at 100 with 40-45 % humidity. I would like to try the aquarium one too if I can find a cheap one, ours is in use at the moment..lol

That is how I am too. I am so excited to candle. Only 5 more days. I am so bad I have to sit on my hands.

 

[Jed]

I too used styrofoam for my first incubator. Worked well, but could not see any of the action. The additional insulation and foil should work well for you. I will have to put pictures of my setup tonite. I to am using a 100w bulb and a small PC fan for circulation.

Sunny-I could not see your water containers. How do you plan on increasing the humidity @ lockdown? I think I am gonna steal your homemade egg turning method. Looks alot quicker than turning each egg individually!

How does everyone plan on positioning their eggs during the hatching process? Lying flat on the mesh or in a carton?

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

Quote:

I too used styrofoam for my first incubator. Worked well, but could not see any of the action. The additional insulation and foil should work well for you. I will have to put pictures of my setup tonite. I to am using a 100w bulb and a small PC fan for circulation.

Sunny-I could not see your water containers. How do you plan on increasing the humidity @ lockdown? I think I am gonna steal your homemade egg turning method. Looks alot quicker than turning each egg individually!

How does everyone plan on positioning their eggs during the hatching process? Lying flat on the mesh or in a carton?

I actually just put a couple tablespoons of water in the microwave and pour it into my incubator a couple times a day as needed. The water stays at the bottom of my tank. I don't use a water dish. I keep my humidity in the 30's and try not to let it get below the 20's. During lock down I will just add a lot more water until it reaches about 50-60. We will see how it goes. I only add hot water to my incubator. It seems to work better for me. I am planning on letting my eggs hatch in a carton. I am happy to hear you are thinking about using the egg carton method of turning the eggs. It works great for me.

I also wanted to mention that I am keeping only 3 sides of my incubator insulated with foam. I cut an extra piece for at night time for the front, but will only use it if it is needed. The front piece has a window cut into it so that I can still watch the tempature and humidity gauges. My house gets colder at night time which is why I am only using the front piece at night.

 

[meshellrose]

waiting impatiently..lol

 

[Jed]

I have not added any water and I can't get the humidity much below 40%. You must be using the dry incubation method?

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

I have not added any water and I can't get the humidity much below 40%. You must be using the dry incubation method?

That is my plan. Since adding the foam insulation, I had to turn down the dimmer switch for the light bulb in order to get the right temp (100). Well, now that the light is so dull, My humidity is really low. Only 12% right now. Do you think that is bad for dry incubation?

I just added more water.