Incubator Comparison - LG 9200 & HovaBator 1602n

[Poulets De Cajun]

OOOOOOHHHHH I'm not happy this morning!

As usual, Texas weather threw us another curveball last night and we dropped to the high 30's, which of course lowered the temperature in the house. I failed to open the heater vent in the room where the incubators are, and as best I can tell, between 930pm and 415am this morning, the temps were between 95 and 99.5, although I dont know exactly how far they dropped. I know that humidity went from a high of 82% yesterday to a low of 69% last night, and that doesn't make me happy at all. It's my fault however as I didn't put enough emphasis on the fact that it would get as cool as it did last night.

I'm hoping this slight drop doesn't affect my hatch that much, as they are due to start pipping this afternoon or tomorrow morning.

However, despite the temperature drop, I'm very happy that the HovaBator held humidity and temps as well as it did. A variance of 4 degrees I can tolerate, although its not optimal.

 

[Marion]

I have an LG with the plastic liner, when I want a high humidity I add water to the large outside ring (something you can't do without the liner) and the humidity stays up in the 80% range. I agree that the little water channels in the LG are insufficient for the last few days (not enough surface area for moisture exchange) but seem to keep things around 40-50% for the majority of the incubation period. I have had good hatches so far!

 

[jvls1942]

I have read all these these posts and several hundred like them in the past..

One thing that strikes me is the mention of the poor fit between the top and bottom seam on the LG.. then people add and remove those little plugs.. I believe the poor fitting seam is the cause of low hum%.. I ran a piece of duct tape around one of my still air LG and had no problem getting the hum to 60% and higher, with just 1 ounce of water poured through the vent hole.. I had both holes open,BTW.. I have long since lost almost all the plugs for all 6 of my LG..

I have mentioned this in the past and have had arguments from people saying I am dead wrong..
I don't care what they say. I am going to have to start up a couple of LG because both of my sportsmans are getting full.. and I am going to go with the tape..

I suggest you try it also and if it does not work for you,what have you lost??

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

My original post was started because my LG shorted out. The thermostat went out and the temp spiked to 120, essentially frying all of my eggs just as they started to pip. It's now nothing but a bunch of parts.

I'm not knocking the LG, because I used mine for 5 or so years. I simply wanted to dialogue my comparison of both the LG and the HovaBator. I seriously didn't expect the HB to be as good as it is

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Well I now know why I had a 2 degree drop before the thermostat would kick on... the wingnut is the culprit.

I figured that when I got it set I would be sure to tighten the wingnut extra tight so that there was NO chance it would be accidentally turned. Well apparently I tightened it too tight.

I loosened it a bit to adjust it down this evening and it is running much better. Apparently the wingnut was SO tight that it was holding the thermostat down and not allowing enough room for expansion and contraction.

I think there is only a 1/2 a degree difference now, but I will watch it for the next few hours just to make sure...

 

[Peeper7]

So grateful for this timely information PDC and all! I have had a hova bator for years but never used it for eggs. I was actually nursing a tiny yorkie puppy in it. When I decided to get into chickens again I pulled it out of the attic and it is in good condition -- except I do not see a "plastic liner" that is mentioned. Maybe the older ones did not have it? Should I still use it? Haven't tested it yet but I am just dyin' to try hatchin'.
Would appreciate some more advice from you egg-sperts....

it's the 1602n still air model. I think I understand the basics of temp and humidity needs, and I am concerned about opening/closing to turn eggs. How to manage this?
Also, when the eggs are on their sides, how can you put the large end up???
Would it be a good idea to try to rig a turner? Can't buy one right now, but I may be able to make something.

Can you recommend a hygrometer brand?

I have a digital thermometer that has the little bottle of fluid on the end. If I place it with the eggs will that be good enough? Or do I need to make a seperate "egg"

Gratefully,
Valerie

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
hey Val, I will take a stab at a few of your questions..

I have a digital Springfield Hygrometer/thermometer that you can get at Walmart.. I paid under $10 for it..

those plastic trays usually get brittle and crack and leak. I do not have any left from 8 bators.. I just use the bator as is..

You do not have to put the large end up .. eggs on their sides is just fine.. the large end up rule is if you are storing them in a carton.
this ensures that the air sac is up.

You can hatch eggs in cartons in your bator.. I think this is a good idea, you will find some people who disagree..

for turning the eggs, you can place a block of wood under one side of your bator and move it to the oposite side and back and forth whenever you want to turn the eggs.. this is a good method if you use the egg cartons in the bator.. then you do not have to open the bator to turn the eggs.

before you start to set up for hatching eggs, make sure you have a good therm and hygrom,..

these can be tested by you for accuracy..

I can help you set your temps for the hova if you need some pointers..

..........jiminwisc........

 

[snewman]

Just out of curiousity (I'm about to try my first hatch now too), what is the argument against hatching eggs in cartons? You said you think it's a good idea but that others might disagree. Not knowing anything, using your idea of putting them in cartons and then just tilting the whole incubator back and forth sounds perfect, so I was just wondering what could possibly be wrong with that?

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
I put stuff like that into my posts because there is always somebody who disagrees with me.. there are about 25,ooo subscribers to this web site so not everybody is going to agree on any subject..

right at this minute I have close to 300 eggs in 3 different bators of all kinds, ie, goose, chicken , duck and turkey, and they are all in cut down egg cartons..

I am making two more trays for one of my sportsmans so that I can set 132 more chicken eggs.(in cartons)

 

[Peeper7]

Great Information!
I am thinking the only problem with turning the bator side to side is keeping the water in the little "troughs"
That could be easily remedied with sponges i suppose.

I have a "whatever works" philosophy. Personally I would feel better having the eggs secured in a carton and trying to manage turns externally.
I suppose all we can do is try it. I would think the egg carton should be sanitized because it could be a source of contamination.
...this may be my nurse mentality speaking....