Incubation safety questions.

[mlbuttercup]

I'm a nervous mama. My 14 year old daughter and I are trying our first attempt at hatching. It's part of a girl scout project. We are ready to put the eggs on lock down. I have three concerns about our homemade incubator.
1. Should I have something besides hardware cloth in front of the bulb so it's not too bright.
2. Should I have something besides ¼" hardware cloth on the floor. Will their feet fall through?
3. Is the computer fan safe or should I put hardware cloth infront of it?

Thanks
I never knew that this would be so stressful.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I'm a nervous mama. My 14 year old daughter and I are trying our first attempt at hatching. It's part of a girl scout project. We are ready to put the eggs on lock down. I have three concerns about our homemade incubator.
1. Should I have something besides hardware cloth in front of the bulb so it's not too bright.
2. Should I have something besides ¼" hardware cloth on the floor. Will their feet fall through?
3. Is the computer fan safe or should I put hardware cloth infront of it?

Thanks
I never knew that this would be so stressful.

Hi!

As for the bulb, I wouldn't worry about the brightness but if it's low enough for contact I would be more worried about them burning themselves. If you have it protected with that, there shouldn't be an issue I wouldn't think. Many people hatch with the bare screen on the floor, I personally prefer the rubber shelf lining over mine. I feel it helps them to keep from slipping and it's easy to clean out and throw away. As for the fan, if it's open and you can, I would cover it. I have the fan kit installed in my LG bator and had no problems until the last hatch and two chicks decided to stretch out under it. One chipped his beak and made it bleed the other almost scalped herself. I thought she'd loose sight in one eye. Luckiy she didn't but above the eye still carries a slit 7 weeks later.

It is quite stressful but addicting as well.
Good luck. Hope you have a great hatch!

 

[mlbuttercup]

Thank you for your reply. We wil make the needed changes. I was just out shopping for more supplies. Chickens can be stressful, addicting, and expensive.