I just got my new octagon incubator! A few Q's

[Corey NC]

my new octagon 20 just arrived and boy is it nice. I have a few questions for those who have an octagon -

Is there anyway to add water to it with out opening the whole thing up?

What type of hygrometer do you use?

I have this one and I can't seem to find a space for it with out compromising egg space.


Thanks!

 

[Sherriekim]

In my octagon, I use the Auccurite thermometer/ hygrometer with a probe. I stand it on its side in the first "row" with the water wiggler beside it. I use a small piece of duct tape to hold it in place because the turner really goes way up when its running. This does use up one row that you could put eggs in, but it was the only way I can make it work. I can still get 18-20 eggs in there. I removed the little side piece in the top designed for the Brinsea hygrometer (costs extra if you got the basic model) and add water through that. My husband made me a cover for that hole that I can just slide in and out as I add water. Does this make sense? I would take pictures, but I'm on the last three days so I really shouldn't open it. Let me know if you need clarification and I will try to sneak a quick picture.

 

[Corey NC]

I understand where you put the hygrometer but I am a little fuzzy on how you are able to add water with out opening the bator. If you could post pics that would be great but you can wait til after your hatch, I don't want to mess up your hatch.

 

[KKluckers]

I have some tubing I bought at the hardware store. I put it threw the holes in the bottom. I use a syringe to push the water in.

 

[Sherriekim]

Christina, that is a great idea, I never even thought about doing that. Corey, here are the pics of my set up. This batch is my mixed Serama and Gold sex link so I've been keeping the humidity up and quit turning at day 17, long drawn out hatch! If I realized the Seramas hatched out sooner, I wouldn't have thrown the sex link eggs in! But anyways... I had added water just before the pic and it always gets a little condensation for a while afterwards on the side I put water in, you'll notice it in the pic..

I just use a pitcher with a long, skinny spout to pour water in through that round hole on the side of the top. As I said my DH made me that little cover for the hole. I got mine used and there was nothing there when I got it. Not pretty, but it works!

 

[Corey NC]

I think I'll try both ways. I have seramas coming on Monday so let me know how your seramas hatch.

 

[Sherriekim]

Well, I'm not holding out alot of hope for the Seramas. They were in mail for five days. I got them late on the fifth day and they were as cold to the touch as if they had been in the fridge. So far, out of fourteen, I'm down to seven, two of which are quite questionable. As a matter of fact, I'm starting to notice an odor from the incubator and I guess I will have to go open the incubator and find out who the culprit is before it explodes.

Yuck! BTW, I said I removed the cover where the Brinsea hygrometer would go and then said there was nothing there when I got it. Well, I got it from a friend and she removed the piece prior to my getting it because it turns out... She has the brinsea wet/dry thermometer, she just forgot to give it to me. So I was wondering, has anybody used this, is it accurate and is it as complicated as it looks? Trying to decide if I want to use it on the next hatch or stick with what has worked so far.

 

[Sherriekim]

Ok, I'm now down to 6 Serama eggs and OMG!! The egg that was bad... PU!! Up close and personal, that think stunk so bad. It's amazing how quickly they can go bad. I candled two days ago and no smell then. Well, fingers crossed for the remaining six. Corey, what humidity are you planning on going with for your seramas? And how many days before you stop turning? I've read that the humidity should be higher the first seventeen days for seramas than other chicken eggs after mine were already in for fourteen or so days so I'm wondering if that might be the problem as I was doing a dry incubation. Humm.

 

[Corey NC]

I have heard a lot of conflicting information about the seramas. I have heard that they need high humidity upwards of 60% the first 17 days but I have heard that they need lower than nessesary humidity 40% and under. One thing that I have heard the most unity on is that to have the temps on the higher side so that they'll hatch earlier. My plan as of right now is to keep my humidity around 55% and my temps right at 100. I am going to do the best I can and try not to fret about every little thing.

 

[Sherriekim]

Well, it is day 22 on my hatch. Yesterday, three of the sex links hatched, no problems. Nothing from any of the seramas all day long yesterday, no rocking, peeping, pipping, etc.... Today I get up, check the bator, still nothing from the serama.

About an hour later, my son is looking in the bator and says "How many have hatched so far?" I say three, he says "that's funny, I count four" What?!?! I go look, sure as anything, one of the seramas had popped out. About three hours later, a second serama did the exact thing. No pips, zips, nothing, at least none that I noticed and believe me, I was looking for it!! These serama are sneaky, turn your back for a minute, there they are. Waiting to see if anymore come out, but I'm happy with the two I got, I really didn't think I'd get any. Sure caught me by surprise, I did everything wrong as far as what is recomended for a good serama hatch.

Of course, two out of ten that showed some development isn't that good, but I'll take it.