I really HATE hova bators!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[usschicago1]

i have a 1970s hovabator and i love it so far

 

[Redcatcher]

Quote:
That is more of a difference between still air and forced air incubators, rather than the make. Once the blanket of warm air is disturbed, it takes hours for the air to heat up enough to reach the wire where they eggs are. Add a fan and it should only take a minute or two.

 

[loopy12]

Quote:
That is more of a difference between still air and forced air incubators, rather than the make. Once the blanket of warm air is disturbed, it takes hours for the air to heat up enough to reach the wire where they eggs are. Add a fan and it should only take a minute or two.

Hmmm. Might have to consider that...

 

[rittert3]

Quote:
I've got one with the square corners, and a fan I installed, I put a new wafer in it been going 10 days and the temperatures have varied from 93 degrees to 104.2 It was going for a couple days before I put eggs in it. I probably check the temperature 6 times a day and keep making small adjustments, it doesn't seem to want to stay at 99.5 to 100 degrees. I try to keep the humidity fairly constant and room temperature as well. Does the thermostat switch need to be replaced as well?

I use a medical digital thermometer that says it is accurate to .2 degree.

I'm not sure, this is the first time I have had to replace anything, it always held in the 99-100 range before but it's had 2 years off and not it varies from 93- 104 like you said. I found wafers, termo switches, or the whole assembly from smith pultry but I'm not sure which to buy.

 

[Spinster_Sister]

boy, I thought I was the only one with the problem. This is only my 3rd hatch and it is leaking .... it's still under one year so I wonder if the warranty will cover this

 

[Julie08]

Quote:
Yet another reason why I love byc-all of this sharing! That binder idea is fantastic!! Thanks!

turing the wire upside down (bended center down) then the eggs done bunch up, covering the wire with cheese cloth when you go into lock down makes clean up a breeze.
ETA I have never had a bad hatch most over 95%

 

[jerseygirl1]

OK, I am atotal newbie at incubating, but I bought one off Ebay - what is the difference between forced air, circulated air and still air bators?
Still air I'm guessing means no fan for air movement at allbut aren't forced air and circulated the same?

 

[mamawolf544]

I have 2 1583 circulated air incubators and a GQF cabinet incubator. My temps stay good, I put the rubber shelf liner on the wire for easy clean up. I incubate in the tabletops and hatch in the cabinet. But I do keep marbles in the water channels in the plastic tunnels and I think that helps maintain temp and humidity.

 

[pkw]

I am glad I saw this post. I am trying to get a steady temp on a borrowed Little Giant still air styrofoam incubator before I put my shipped eggs in there. I saw water dripping out the bottom yesterday and thought I may have somehow punctured a hole or something.

My shipped eggs is in route to my house so I am hoping I can get the temp to be where it needs to be by then.

 

[biddybird]

Now I feel better! I was experiencing all the above on both my Little Giants. First year was OK and batches were 70% or better but the more I used them, they leaked and would not hold temp or humidity steady. I would check at 8am and the temp would be 101, again two hours later and it would be 95, two more hours 104, never touching the control. I had 4 thermometers in one, all the same height, that had been temp checked, all reading 1 to 5 degrees different on corners of the LG. DH got tired of me pulling my hair out and bought me a GFQ sportman 1502, alot of money for a hobby gone wild. First batch due 5-23, temp good, humidity good, very few quitters out of 98 eggs (3 total so far),had 5 infertile, so I have 90 eggs looking good as of Sunday. Lock down is today.
Overall thoughts on the LG's, maybe good if you are able to totally stay up on them and watch it constantly, also you need the room it is in to stay the same temp all the time. The more large eggs in the higher the temp will climb, If you put small eggs in it be ready to raise the temp. If you are like me and mourn every egg that doesn't hatch---don't use them! Good way to frustrate yourself so bad that you quit.