I'm worried about my incubator failing...anything I can do?

[tjb]

is it possible to purchase a new incubator and transfer the egg to that one?

I have transferred eggs to a second incubator at lockdown and it was fine. Just run the new incubator overnight before transfer to make sure the temp and humidity is stable.

 

[Altfrizzle]

I used the one installed with a tiny one on top of the eggs but in lockdown with humidity up, couldn’t read the secondary one.

This was years ago but I concluded that opening it 3x day to turn the eggs prevented the overheating.

If at all possible, get a JN-12/magicfly and transfer the eggs.

That was what I bought after the heartbreak of my first hatch. I have issues with that too and bought an Incuview this year, but it’s relatively inexpensive and works pretty well if placed correctly.

 

[Lochloosachicks]

I can't buy another incubator right now, but I have placed another thermometermidity gauge in there. Temp seems fine right now, but humidity is high. Hopefully by correcting that at Day 4 it will be okay. Any suggestions on perfect humidity? I have seen people say 30% all the way to 60%. This one was in the 70's so that's obviously too high. I am also making a homemade incubator after reading several posts on here about how to do it. I'm still messing with the levels so it's not ready for eggs.

Would you suggest moving them as soon as possible or leave them in here if levels are doing okay? I feel like they are going to have to be moved before lockdown because I can't imagine chicks having room to hatch in it. Thoughts?

 

[Altfrizzle]

I'd move them because I just don't trust that thing...

 

[BYC910]

Go to walmart get one of these cost under three dollars. Ignore the green zone it's for aquariums . These little thermometers are spot on accurate . A little hard to see but great for calibrating .

make sure your incubator is in a room with a constant temperature . Remove all the water and check the humidity . If it is anywhere between 30 to 50% you just don't need water until you lock down the eggs to hatch . Raise the humidity to 65% or more at lock down . If removing the lid multiple times to control the temperature works then do that . To calibrate your hygrometer use a one gallon ziplock bag a milk or water jug lid filled with table salt and moistened .You don't want to see pooled water in the salt you just want it to be moist . Place the hygrometer and the lid filled with salt in the ziplock bag seal it and place it in a room or cabinet that stays at as close to 75 degrees as you can keep it . Wait twenty four hours and read the hygrometer. It should read 75% if it does not make a note of what it reads and calculate that in when reading your incubator humidity. Some incubators require constant attention . It appears you have one of those . So keep a close eye on it .

 

[Lochloosachicks]

I will to get one of those. I'd like to have a couple in there with this concoction I've created. I have moved them and I'm super nervous! I actually put the base of the incubator at the bottom of the aquarium and put water in its reservoir, which I think will produce the right humidity in a bigger area.then chicken wire and an egg carton over that. My plan is to remove the egg cargo and have them on the chicken wire with a cloth for lockdown.
So I have the heat from that, which is not quite enough and the heat from the actual aquarium (15W) which is also not quite enough. Together it seems good and it will shut off at 102 for safety. I wrapped it in bubble wrap for insulation. If these hatch I will be amazed!! Until then I'll just stand here watching it.

 

[Lochloosachicks]

Being this is my first hatch I would love some advise on how my eggs should look right now. I'm attaching pics of my attempt at candling. I'm not sure what the airsac is. Technically this is Day 6, but I wanted to check.
My araucana egg is the first and I'm not sure what I'm looking at is half of the egg typically darker?

 

[Altfrizzle]

Those look right. Embryos, veins, and small air cells which is right for that age.

The air cell is the very light area at the end of the egg on the wider end.

 

[Lochloosachicks]

I feel like I can see the air cell on all but egg 2. What happens if there isn't one? Can I help with hatching so it doesn't drown?

 

[gimmie birdies]

alot can be corrected during the early stages, good luck with your hatch.