Incubators Anonymous

[MinnesotaNice]

Does anyone know how to candle/see through the welsummer eggs at 7 days. Itried to candle some of the eggs yesterday I couldnt even see any air space. I am using a 5,000 lumen light bulb. I have an idea to look for but I just cannot even see anything past the shell. I usually wait until day 17 or 18 and then if they are dark or clear which helps.

I hatched dark black copper maran eggs this past October. What I did was candled from the opposite end. I also had a light that allowed me to do this well and safely from the top, however. By no means could I see clearly at any point like a white egg. By days 7-10, veins and air cell should be more visible in welsummer eggs. Veins probably sooner. Also, I had a few eggs too dark that I really had to wait it out. And, as mentioned above, a dark room is critical. I have read of folks sanding the thin outer layer off of the egg and then candling. I don't have the confidence to do that! Isn't patient horrible? Lol

 

[stryker]

I hatched dark black copper maran eggs this past October. What I did was candled from the opposite end. I also had a light that allowed me to do this well and safely from the top, however. By no means could I see clearly at any point like a white egg. By days 7-10, veins and air cell should be more visible in welsummer eggs. Veins probably sooner. Also, I had a few eggs too dark that I really had to wait it out. And, as mentioned above, a dark room is critical. I have read of folks sanding the thin outer layer off of the egg and then candling. I don't have the confidence to do that! Isn't patient horrible?

Patience sure is horrible. I candled mine today and noticed a little airspace at 11 days. I am thinking my humidity is too high for some reason. There is not that much air space in there. I will check in day 14 and match it to the pictures.

 

[Flowerbh]

Hey bators addicts what is the best set it and forget incubator ? That you know of.

I use the Hovabator Genesis 1588. It is digital, fan assisted and has a really big viewing area. It is also deep. My friend has one that is not deep and she has trouble with chicks falling out if she has to open the bator during hatch for any reason. (I know, you're not suppose to, but she does all the time) I've really done well with the Genesis 1588 incubator.

This is my friends incubator. See the sides are below the eggs. It also contributes to a lot of loss temp and humidity when she has to lift the lid to re-add water or to candle.


This one is mine. See how deep it is. I really like that!


The chicks don't fall out when I open it at the end of hatch!



Of course, if I had my choice, I would get one of these!!! LOL!


But, you could also make your own! (Not mine, but I thought it was creative!)

 

[dvoice]

Hey bators addicts what is the best set it and forget incubator ? That you know of.

You could build your own! I made a cabinet bator. Ordered a controller from China. Put a small baseboard heater in the top section and a backup in the incubating chamber. 2 shelves for incubating with turners, 2 for hatching. 196 eggs plus piped in a humidifier which is controlled. Usually keep it within 2% of what I want.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
I would like to see the humidifier and how you piped it in! Got pics?

 

[gimmie birdies]

I am trying the crock pot idea, because I am bored, not because I need it... I am heating it up 24 hrs and if it holds heat I will put in my LO eggs.

above is the dial I hear you turn it on until light goes on, then back off, it seems to be warming, (some people said there should be water in crock pot, but at these temps maybe it won't make a diff.) Some crock pots only have a high or a low. I would not use these.

pic above is what is going in pot. wire so eggs don't touch pan, hot water, carton, and thermometer.
below is a nub I will put between lid and rim for air.



Wish me luck.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I am trying the crock pot idea, because I am bored, not because I need it... I am heating it up 24 hrs and if it holds heat I will put in my LO eggs.

above is the dial I hear you turn it on until light goes on, then back off, it seems to be warming, (some people said there should be water in crock pot, but at these temps maybe it won't make a diff.) Some crock pots only have a high or a low. I would not use these.

pic above is what is going in pot. wire so eggs don't touch pan, hot water, carton, and thermometer.
below is a nub I will put between lid and rim for air.



Wish me luck.

Boredom can case alot of projects to take place-----Good Luck. Do let us know how it works!

 

[Penny Hen]

Does anyone know how to candle/see through the welsummer eggs at 7 days. Itried to candle some of the eggs yesterday I couldnt even see any air space. I am using a 5,000 lumen light bulb. I have an idea to look for but I just cannot even see anything past the shell. I usually wait until day 17 or 18 and then if they are dark or clear which helps.

You can also take vinegar and cotton swabs and make two windows one on the end for the light to shine into and one on the side for viewing. Dip the swab in the vinegar and then rub in a circular motion to remove some of the brown off the egg. Wipe with paper towel. This also helps because the super dark eggs sometimes have trouble loosing enough fluid and you get drowned chicks. So taking off some of the coating can actually raise you hatch rate on the super dark eggs.

 

[Penny Hen]

I am refitting a homemade incubator with new sealing for the door, new thermostat, a special sponge for the water, and since I can't find my humidity probe I guess I will order a new one of those. I am saving up for a reptile humidifier because the machine is outside and pumps in the humid air. You just refill the water bottle and screw it into the machine without having to open the incubator. You set it at the humidity you want it to hold at and it dose the rest. I am also adding a fan that can pump in outside air in case of a temp spike. The thermostat controls that as well. I hope to have it all running by the end of Febuary, well maybe not with the reptile humidifier but all the rest.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I have been heating it over night, 95 is the temp I got, I will play with it, today...hoping for 102 best for still air...