Hi from deepest darkest Devon (UK)

[Pagan Prince]

I'm new to this, but did my best to candle a couple of times.

Not only was there movement in some but I could see a clear airsack in some also. I have done some very basic and Horrible error. I am almost sure. But how to get the humidity up when the tray runs out of water, and you're not supposed to open the top of the Buter, and all... sigh..

Do pics work in here ? hang on... I'll see.

I removed the rack at 18 days and put in cheese cloth on the wire rack and a flannel etc in the base to raise humidity..... eggs moved.

Errr... I digress.

I have put more water in the base regardless of the taboo of opening the top..... too late now. But next time I will know that pouring it in through the top hole is not enough. Eggs hold their heat for 30 mins (?)... moisture has to be more important than not opening the box..........

I'll do better next time (On second day of 7 day collection cycle) or buy something from "Cornwall farmers" that the techs would be happy with.... I still find it amazing that people used to incubate in draws and "Airing cupboards" ........ *Shrug*... They did a good job without the tech.......

 

[Cindiloohoo]

When I remove the lid from my bator to add water I lift it straight up to hold the heat in. Heat rises so if you flip it up on it's side all the heat will escape taking a good bit of moisture with it so I lift it straight up instead, add the water, and replace the lid. Anytime you take the lid off have a spray bottle of warm water handy(I leave a small one in the bator for quick reach and it maintains temp

) and spray the eggs to increase humidity to replace the loss sustained from opening the bator. It is okay to open the bator until the last 3 days if you need to add water to the tray below. It's the last 3 days that are crucial.

That's a nice looking bator

I like the clear top! Mine is foam with little windows and I would LOVE to just be able to see everything in there

 

[Pagan Prince]

It looks nice, but that metal diaphram is not as acurate as it could be and there is no real access to filling the "Base tray" without pouring through the mesh the eggs lay on. It takes 48 hrs to dry a full tray..... That's without the flannel/sponge at day 18 ! .... Sigh .... There has to be a "Knack" to this

lol

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Quote:

Sounds like that thing is a bit drafty to have that much evaporating so quickly. Mine will hold humidity without refilling the tray for 5-7 days. I put water in mine 3 times normally during a hatch cycle. I wonder if that may be the problem

Try keeping a sponge or three in there. Some bators just use more water, but every 48 hours is by no means normal that I have ever experienced. Your region is humid and rainy this time of year right? You should be able to hold humidity better I would think. Where I am in the US is pretty similar climate...maybe it has to do with elevation? What's the elevation..your in a valley though right...hmm. I dunno, maybe elevation is having some sort of effect as well? I'd try sponges in there full time to keep the humidity up though during a hatch cycle. If the embryos don't get enough at a certain point it will slow their development and can snuff the little buggers out completely. Humidity issues are far worse than temp issues in my experience. And yes, there is a certain "knack" for it...it's called experience

Don't give up, your climate and elevation will vary from others and experience in your own place is the key. You have to figure out what makes it tick. The room you have the bator in can make a HUGE difference even. Just hang in there and we'll see if we can talk ya through the next one if this one doesn't turn out

 

[Soaring Chicks]

from Wv.

Hope you enjoy the site as much as we do.