How to NOT open the incubator during lockdown... tips please

[FenDruadin]

The biggest advice everyone (including me) repeats for hatching is KEEP THE LID ON. But that's not always as easy to do as it sounds. So, how about if we put our heads together and share all our tips for following that advice, from what to do about the itch to listen "just one more time" to the sweet cheeping and tapping inside the shell, to how to add water to the pans without opening the lid.

I just read from someone that they add water to the pans through aquarium tubing, so they don't have to lift the lid to do it. Can someone post pics &/or a tutorial for that? It's a great idea!

Also, what strategies do you use to keep the lid on as much as possible when a hatch spreads out over several days, so that you have babies in the 'bator along with unhatched eggs? And how do you keep it reasonably clean in there without opening it up to wash it? Do you do anything about the nastiness of the water in the pans as the eggs hatch and dump fluid into it?

What about when the early hatchers knock the thermometer to kingdom come and you can no longer read it (because it's upside down in the far corner) to be sure everything's hunky-dorey in there?

And how do you resist that terrible desire to check "just one more time" to be sure the egg that's taking forever really is cheeping in there?

Do you have any other handy-dandy homemade solutions for solving "inside" issues in the middle of a hatch without actually opening the incubator?

Thanks!

 

[2txmedics]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=221826&p=7

very helpful...I had 17 eggs that didnt hatch...I learned from that.

 

[mulia24]

i don't know about it curiositycat cause I'm taking my first incubation right now, but I let the lid open when I need to stabilize the temp and just leave it. that's all i know.

 

[JD]

It took me forever to figure out a way, couldn't find pics on here. But I cut a hole in the cap and put the tubing through that, then hot glued to seal. Then put tubing in one of the hole's in bator and squeeze the bottle. Just wish I made the tubing a little longer, but it works.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I use a fat syringe and a drinking straw to add more water. It's just long enough to reach the floor and is easy to replace after each hatch.

I usually can't stand it and I pull the early hatchers out after a day. I have found that if I add a dampish paper towel when I pull out the babies that it seems to keep the humidity up. Make sure the paper towel is wet with hot water and not cold.

 

[Cherlyn]

Duct tape the lid shut.

Trust me, the thought crossed my mind. I have very itchy fingers.

~Cherlyn

 

[dave3877]

when i still used styro incubators i would limit opening it to 1 time a day no longer than 2 minutes or so. i have 2 styro/bators a genesis with the fan and turner. its nice and has that excellent preset thermostat. when i candled the eggs after 2 weeksi would arrange the eggs in an enqueing rder. when it came to day 18 i would put them in my other bator a gqf still air. id pour the whole bottom full of water and leave it for a day or so ahead of time. that was the hatcher. i rarely lost any going about it this way. i got lucky and inherited a leahy redwood incubator and my capacity and hatch rate have both increased now i have so many d*mn birds i cant stand it but i keep wanting more. i wonder if there is a 12 step program for hatch addiction lol

 

[chickenchik12]

just think to yourself if you open it they will get too cold and die.and it will be all YOUR fault.that your motavation.