Hurricane may interrupt incubator

[biophiliac]

Possibly a dumb question, but if they are CLOSE, couldn't you just take the eggs to bed with you? put them close to your body under a couple layers of blankets and read a book until they hatch? I know I generate a hot steamy environment under my blankets, seems like the same as being up under a broody.

I've heard of people incubating an egg with body heat - in the bra or down their pants (Steven Mazzo and Lucky) but your method would serve multiple eggs, very smart!

 

[K.Riggs]

Possibly a dumb question, but if they are CLOSE, couldn't you just take the eggs to bed with you? put them close to your body under a couple layers of blankets and read a book until they hatch? I know I generate a hot steamy environment under my blankets, seems like the same as being up under a broody.

I have wondered this myself! When I collect an egg that was just laid and very warm and put in my down jacket pocket it stays at that temp while I do my morning chores outside. I often think if I kept it on me i wonder if it would hatch!

 

[biophiliac]

This thread made me think of the old kerosene powered incy's which are still available today.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/old-incubator.1189654/#post-18798021

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

For future reference. From what I've been able to gather, small incubators run at about 30 watts. That's very little power. An inverter from Harbor Freight Tools that costs only $18 is rated at 80 watts - https://www.harborfreight.com/80-watt-continuous-200-watt-peak-slim-power-inverter-66944.html

Just plug it into the cigarette lighter socket and then plug the incubator into the inverter. If you don't have a cigarette lighter socket, then pay $2 more and get the inverter with the battery clips (rated at 200 watts). Pop the hood and connect the red lead to the positive battery terminal (+) and the black lead to the negative (-).

 

[Kusanar]

I've heard of people incubating an egg with body heat - in the bra or down their pants (Steven Mazzo and Lucky) but your method would serve multiple eggs, very smart!

Lol, yep, Steven and his egg in his pants... lol

 

[JacksonPearce]

Those car outlets are exactly what I got! I will say that they ran VERY hot, and that worried me a little, but they got the job done. I do think I've lost a few of the larger eggs, the ones in the Octagon, but it's hard to know if those would have quit anyway since they're only about five days in (and on night ONE, the old incubator-- not the Octagon-- spiked and went to 109). I'm most worried about my stupid self tipping the little incubator and sending those Serama eggs rolling...but we'll see. Those had a rough start too-- the air cells were totally scrambled in shipping back when I got them. Come on, chicks!

 

[Feather Momma]

Hi everyone thank you for the responses!!!! I had quail in incubator on final day. 6 hatched and then lost power due to hurricane!!!! Had to move those 6 to brooder but boiled water in my grill and put in mason jars in brooder to assist in getting them to fluff and warm up. Could not believe it was working. The day after we lost power a quail hatched in the cold incubator, I had thrown A couple hot hands in there just in case and I guess it helped. She was touch and go all day yesterday with no power!!!! We boiled and replaced water all day! Power came back last night. They are warm and toasty in brooder. I can't help but leave the incubator running now that it kicked back on I am so sad for the ones that were trying to pip out when we lost power. Would be a miracle if anymore hatched, but I am willing to leave plugged in for a bit and pray!!! What do y'all think?

 

[Impatient]

While not the best, certainly not the worst outcome. Hoping for a couple more

 

[JacksonPearce]

Three pips today! Yay! There are seven eggs that made it this far, so fingers crossed...they're Seramas too, so surviving hatch can be tricky. Looks like the car adapter saved the day, though!

 

[Feather Momma]

L

Whelp, there goes our power. Car outlet to the rescue! The Octagon incubator seems to be holding heat a little better, but the Mini lost degrees within seconds. Sitting in the car with a book while my phone charges and the eggs incubate!

L

Three pips today! Yay! There are seven eggs that made it this far, so fingers crossed...they're Seramas too, so surviving hatch can be tricky. Looks like the car adapter saved the day, though!

Awesome!!!! Rooting for your babies!!!! So far no action in my incubator