Humidity in the LG 9200

[Dragorra]

I went against what seems to be general forum opinion and bought a Little Giant 9200. It was the only type of incubator my local farm and ranch store carries:/. After reading about how touchy they are about setting temp I planned to get it up and running a few days before I set eggs. So I think I've got it maintaining a temp of 100.4 but humidity even w/ the moats filled only got to be about 36%. Thats without the plugs in BTW. What should I try to increase humidity? From what I've read I shouldn't put the plugs in? Could I cut up pieces of sponge to help add moisture? Any other hints or tips for a newbie? I plan to set eggs on this Saturday 2/13.

 

[duck&chickencrazy]

i like to use these...i place them under the wire mesh and fill them with water...i put about 4 or 5 in and they work really well...they are just the cheap metal candle things that you can buy at walmart really cheap...the wax comes out of really easily...i dont use ones that i hae burnt the wax out...this helps alot with boosting the humidity

 

[dbcooper02]

The first thing that comes to mind is to ask how you are measuring your humidity. I'm guessing maybe you are using one of the indoor/outdoor thermometers from Walmart with the remote probe. If so be advised that the remote probe only measures (outdoor) temperature, if only the probe is inside the incubator you are reading the room humidity. In order to read incubator humidity with that type of unit the entire thermometer/hygrometer must be inside the incubator.
hth, db

 

[Dragorra]

The thermometer/hygrometer I bought is a little $7 one I bought at walmart. Its small white and rectangular with a little clip/magnet on the back. No probes? I put the entire thing in incubator.

 

[Kung Foo Chicken]

It is a known problem with LG (at least for me). I found that if I kept it upstairs in a regular room the humidity always was low
and difficult to maintain. I used a little flat ceramic cup saucer before found at Goodwill.

What worked best for me was to put it in the basement where the humidity was good anyway and just remove the little plugs and
I didn't have to worry with humidity or add water.

 

[panner123]

In order to make sure the temp is right, be sure to add some mass to the bator. Place some bags of sand, water ballons or as one person does a 10 pound metal wieght. The humidity is perfect for the first 18 days at 36%. For the last 3 days, you can add humidity with the sponges. Just remember, as the chicks hatch the humiddity will go up naturally.
You cn have some real good hatches with the 9200 if you don't freak out and touch the dail when you see a spike in the temp. Check it but don't touch it until you see that it has settled high or low. Then because it is so touchy, just move it a hair.

 

[Dragorra]

Thanks for the great information everyone. I set 12 RIR X Turken and Turken eggs yesterday. Am keeping my fingers crossed that things go well and will have peeps on March 6th.