hello just made our incubator need some tweeting questions answered

[ma hen]

we made it out of a hard side cooler etc igloo, well we put the little fan in but what temp and humidity range should we have it i read then i see it is for a still range kind. i just want to make sure i do it right, also is it okay if i just put some egg holders in there or larger items to keep my eggs in place i plan to just hand roll them twice a day, we have to figure out a plan to make a egg turner

thanks
ma hen

 

[SpunkyTheMonkey]

v quick as i'm off to bed:

for chickens, temp should be 99.5 F, humidity is something nobody really agrees on, but assuming you've got adequate ventilation i'd say 30-35% for incubating (days 1-18) and 60-65% for hatch (last 3 days when you don't turn the eggs).

2 times a day for turning eggs is not enough IMO although i'm sure there will be people who'll tell you they do the same without any probs. odd number of turns per day is supposedly better so they spend the nights on alternate sides, 3 minimum, 5 times a day would be better, 7 if you can but i know that's not always possible if you don't have someone home in the day.

you can check out an idea for a simple egg turner in my bator (also just finished) here. made from pvc pipe, little handle outside, mounted so that it tilts to about 40-45 degrees each way.

hth.

 

[Junkmanme]

Spunkey the Monkey gave you the ANSWER!

 

[ma hen]

okay so i finial have my temp at the right setting for my air incubator but my humidity is still at 67% how can i get it down i have put ice in my bator nothing i can not put eggs in until this is right, i do have the walmart thermostat i paid ten bucks for that states in and out . any ideas?

 

[SpunkyTheMonkey]

it states in and out as in it has a probe of some kind for outside temp?

if so, buy a water wiggler (i think they sell them in walmart?) or make one and put the probe inside. that simulates the temp inside the eggs and that is what matters, not air temp. set your t-stat so the probe temp is 99.5

then calibrate your hygro to see how wrong it is. it may not be as high as you think.

come back once you've done that...

 

[ma hen]

thank you so much for you info and advice

have a great day