incubator tips for 1588?

[Lunawriter]

I'm just setting up my new incubator tonight, to start eggs in the morning. It's my first time ever attempting to incubate eggs and I'm using a Hovabator 1588 Genesis. I know I've read on here that a few people have made modifications to be able to add water without opening the lid, etc. Can someone tell me how that is done and give me your vote as to whether it's worth it or not. Anything else anyone recommends? I want to make my first attempt as successful as possible!

p.s. anyone else starting any eggs tomorrow?

 

[chickenman17]

I have the same incubator! I think you should just open the lid to put the water in. I have chickens and when they set, they get up for 10min. everyday to eat and drink. Opening the incubator for 1 min. is not going to hurt the eggs. Also when you put water in it, put it in the middle trough ONLY till the 18th day. Then on the 18th day, fill both troughs and keep the lid shut until you have to take chicks out. I set mine on the 26th. Good luck with your hatch!

 

[chkinut]

i have the same exact bator as well! i'm on my 1st hatch too, and they're in lockdown. days 1-18, i just opened the lid as chickenman suggested and i haven't had any problems. last time i candled my eggs (yesterday) all was well. good luck and keep us posted!

 

[vlapinta]

I also have a Genesis 1588. I am incubating duck eggs. This is also my first time incubating eggs. I am expecting them to hatch 3/31-4/1. What I did was turn the eggs manually three times a day. Once a day, at night, I opened the lid and let the eggs cool for 10 minutes. I only filled the middle chamber with water. Tomorrow is "lockdown" During lockdown I plan to raise the humidity by filling the other chamber with water. I am also going to put a sponge in on the side in case I need more moisture. I am not going to open the incubator untill the hatch.
If I need to add more water, I set up something that someone on here told me they did. I ran a small tube, aquarium tubing, from the wells in the incubator out through where the notch on the side( where you would put the wire out for the automatic egg turner). I purchased a hair color applicator bottle. It can be squeezed and has a small applicator top that fits perfectly into the tube. This allows me to squeeze water through the tubing into the incubator without opening the top during this lockdown period whem I want to keep my humidity high at all times.

Vicki

 

[aceschix]

I am on my 4th hatch with the Genesis. I have a second one coming (it had better be here Monday) I have 50 more eggs on the counter waiting to go in

I use aquarium tubing. I feed one end through the grate in the floor to the trough. Then I have it lay in the slot with the wire to the turner. I lay my floor paper towel over it so that when they hatch noone is laying directly on it. I have the outside end fed into a plastic turkey baster. You can take the bulb off to add water as needed.

I use this during lockdown to add water. i also will ad hot water if my humidity or temps dip during the last few days. It works well for that because you can suck the tepid water out with the bulb on dump it repeatedly until you get out enough to add the hot or warm water depending on what you need.

If I HAVE to open the bator to take chicks out or whatever I will add the hot water to get the humidity and temp. up!

If I have confused you - feel free to ask questions. I hope this helps.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

just getting back into poultry. we are on our 2nd hatch w/the Genesis. we use the walmart digital thermometer/humidity. with one center tray full of waterm we maintain about 50-60% humidity. have had good hatches.

 

[Lunawriter]

Thanks, all! I'll try the tubing! I like the idea of opening the incubator as little as possible. If, after I have the tubing I have questions, I'll come back and ask! Thanks again.

Alina

 

[chkinut]

i'm in lockdown now...day 19. i took a baby bottle nipple and cut the tip off. it fit's perfectly in the vent hole. i also have a hand towel that the eggs are laying on and it's placed directly under the vent hole. but of course the eggs are not sitting directly under the hole or anywhere near it. if i need to add water, i have my own little funnel. i haven't had to use it yet. i've been keeping the humidity at a pretty steady 70% with both troughs filled and one plastic baby food container full of a wet sponge.

 

[Lunawriter]

Silly question, but how do you know the humidity percentage?

 

[chkinut]

you buy a hygrometer. i got one at petsmart, but i think you can buy them at walmart too. mine came in a thermometer/hygrometer combo. and it's made by Flukers. you go to the reptile section in petsmart. and no, it's not a silly question. i had no idea about them until about a month ago.