Incubator advice

[speney]

Hi I ended up making my own Incubator out of a Styrofoam cooler it is still air but I'm having a very hard time controlling the temp I have to have the lid opened slightly and that way it holds at 100 degrees and 45 percent humidity I wanted to get it right with the lid closed but ended up having a broody hen stop brooding. I now have 6 chicken eggs and 3 duck eggs in the incubator do you think they will be ok and maybe hatch even with the lid opened? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all

 

[lazy gardener]

I think that if the temperature in your house fluctuates by even a few degrees, you are doomed to failure without a thermostat to control the temp in your bator. There are many different models available, one is a digital STC 1000. If you can wire a lamp with instructions, you should be able to wire in a thermostat. You also need to be sure that your thermometer and hygrometer are calibrated. If you have not already read it, check out: "Hatching eggs 101" in the learning center. It will set you well on your way to a successful incubation experience.

 

[speney]

I have a thermostat and a hygrometer that's how I know the temp and the humidity. They are calibrated and it is holding steady I just have to make the opening slightly bigger during the day. The only fluctuations I have in temp are about one degree it goes from 99-100 degrees n the humidity goes from 40-42.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I have a thermostat and a hygrometer that's how I know the temp and the humidity. They are calibrated and it is holding steady I just have to make the opening slightly bigger during the day. The only fluctuations I have in temp are about one degree it goes from 99-100 degrees n the humidity goes from 40-42.

If you can hold that temp then it's fine wether it's open or closed. Humidity is fine too. I actually use a low humidity method for incubation and run 30% ish. BUT come time for lockdown/hatch you are going to want to be able to get the humidity up to at LEAST 65% and I would think it's going to be a bit harder to do that with an open lid.

You have a thermometer not a thermostat correct?

 

[speney]

Yes sorry I am using my phone and it auto corrected me I ment thermometer. When I do need to I can easily get the humidity up to 65 I have been playing with the incubator for awhile and if I used a bigger dish of water I had the humidity around 63-64 so it won't be an issue when it comes time. I'm just worried I have never used an incubator to hatch eggs I have always had broody hens but I have been doing my research and wanted to try it thank God I had made the incubator when I did or there would have been no hope for my eggs I have been praying for them every day I just hope they didn't get to cold before I got to them.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Yes sorry I am using my phone and it auto corrected me I ment thermometer. When I do need to I can easily get the humidity up to 65 I have been playing with the incubator for awhile and if I used a bigger dish of water I had the humidity around 63-64 so it won't be an issue when it comes time. I'm just worried I have never used an incubator to hatch eggs I have always had broody hens but I have been doing my research and wanted to try it thank God I had made the incubator when I did or there would have been no hope for my eggs I have been praying for them every day I just hope they didn't get to cold before I got to them.

They are pretty resilient. I've seen people have power failures for hours even a day and still have decent hatches. Hope you make out well.

 

[speney]

Just an update the first one hatched the rest are about a week behind from what I saw when candling. So i will have to wait patiently. His/her name is Kracken so when I let her out of the coop I can yell release the kracken lol

 

[CLSranch]

I like the Kracken.