Incubators Anonymous

[LilyD]

that's what i've seen new ones go for, this one's used...

Not sure I've never owned one so I can only go by the prices I see on Ebay and the different stores. I just purchased the new improved 1588 Hovabator. They now have a digital display on it that shows set temperature, actual temperature and percentage humidity. Supposed to be super easy to set. I saw it on another post in the forum and called them to order it. Hopefully it's as easy as they say it is.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/620840/new-style-hova-bator

 

[DMRippy]

Lockdown is Wednesday, I think

I have the temps adjusted on the hatcher with the new WHT.... we will see. I am going to let it run till lockdown. It was 97 all day yesterday and all night. I adjusted it today and it was still holding at 99 when I left.

Deb those are your eggs going into lockdown. Barred Rocks, Dark Brahmas, and 1 SLW 19 total I think.

Thank goodness for the calendar in Outlook to remind me when and what I am hatching... I could never keep up with hatching without it.

 

[Arielle]

Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens, New Edition, says on page 192 that when daily sun light falls below 15 hours per day supplemental light should be provided in the coops to make the chickens believe they are getting 15 hours of sunlight per day. However even if you start light supplementation tomorrow it may well take 2 to 3 weeks before you will see an increase in their laying. I had my girls quit laying early this last December (2011). I finally realized that my light timers were off schedual because of a tripped circuit breaker. I got everything reset about mid December and I am now back to 12 to 15 eggs a day. The number is slowly going up but it takes time and won't increase the first week or so. I have my timers set to give them 16 hours of light per day. Light shut off time is in the evening at dusk (5:15 PM or so). Yes that means they come on at 2 AM. Use a 100 watt equivalent CFL bulb, they only draw 23 or so watts. Unless you put the CFL in a enclosed light fixture you will have to dust them fairly often, as dust cuts the light output of the CFL drasticaly. Inexpensive Pint mason jar size back door light fixtures can be purchased at Home Depot for about $5.00. They come in black or white, I suggest the white as it will reflect more light in the coop. Timers will probably be least expensive at a Wall Mart unless Home Depot is having a sale.

Hope this helps.

THanks for the input. My girls are under lights, since end of Nov, and still low egg output. LOL I'm wondering if the 40 watt incandesent is not strong enough. THe timer is set for about 3 am and on cloudy days and evenings I turn it on to remind them of their duties! Is 40 watts not enough?

Maybe the light isn't hitting all the girls as one row blocks the second row. Maybe I need to place the light in a different location; move it from the coorner to overhead. ANy thoughts on that?

 

[DMRippy]

THanks for the input. My girls are under lights, since end of Nov, and still low egg output. LOL I'm wondering if the 40 watt incandesent is not strong enough. THe timer is set for about 3 am and on cloudy days and evenings I turn it on to remind them of their duties! Is 40 watts not enough?

Maybe the light isn't hitting all the girls as one row blocks the second row. Maybe I need to place the light in a different location; move it from the coorner to overhead. ANy thoughts on that?

No I don't think that is enough light. It needs to simulate daylight. I use shop lights. They are cheap and cheap to operate. I use one in each pen. I think 32 watts per bulb so that is just a little more energy $ wise but I think you would see more output from your girls with more light.


I have mine in the run over head so it lights up a big area.

 

[ki4got]

Quote:

THanks for the input. My girls are under lights, since end of Nov, and still low egg output. LOL I'm wondering if the 40 watt incandesent is not strong enough. THe timer is set for about 3 am and on cloudy days and evenings I turn it on to remind them of their duties! Is 40 watts not enough?

Maybe the light isn't hitting all the girls as one row blocks the second row. Maybe I need to place the light in a different location; move it from the coorner to overhead. ANy thoughts on that?

I'll agree, that's NOT enough light... but shop lights may not do too well if you're in an area that gets super cold, as they don't work well when they're cold. someone else mentioned using the 'mason jar' shields, the CFL bulbs work well in that, since it is able to retain some of the heat genereated by the ballast. it still takes a bit to warm up, but once they warm up a bit they're BRIGHT!

so maybe just put 2-3 (or more if it's bigger?) of those in the coop, spaced 4-6' apart, and use 100w equivalent bulbs.

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
I'll agree, that's NOT enough light... but shop lights may not do too well if you're in an area that gets super cold, as they don't work well when they're cold. someone else mentioned using the 'mason jar' shields, the CFL bulbs work well in that, since it is able to retain some of the heat genereated by the ballast. it still takes a bit to warm up, but once they warm up a bit they're BRIGHT!

so maybe just put 2-3 (or more if it's bigger?) of those in the coop, spaced 4-6' apart, and use 100w equivalent bulbs.

 

[Arielle]

THe verdict is in. A higher wattage. 40 is too low. THanks EVERYONE ! ! !

Question: the "mason jar" type . Is this a unit that is hard wired with a glass "mason jar" screwed over the bulb with a metal frame over and around the glass jar ??? Like in horse barns???

 

[ki4got]

Quote:

THe verdict is in. A higher wattage. 40 is too low. THanks EVERYONE ! ! !

Question: the "mason jar" type . Is this a unit that is hard wired with a glass "mason jar" screwed over the bulb with a metal frame over and around the glass jar ??? Like in horse barns???

Like... under my deck? 8)

 

[mommissan]

Help! I ordered 22 eggs for mid April, but my incubator only fits 20. Now I'll have to buy Brinsea mini for the 2 extra. Then, I'll need to get 5 more to fill that incubator up. Wouldn't want those 2 eggs to be lonely!

 

[DMRippy]

Help! I ordered 22 eggs for mid April, but my incubator only fits 20. Now I'll have to buy Brinsea mini for the 2 extra. Then, I'll need to get 5 more to fill that incubator up. Wouldn't want those 2 eggs to be lonely!

Is there one a little bigger cuz they will send extras too? right? then you are back in the same boat. You might as well get the bigger one anyway. you can use it for a hatcher too so you can have staggered hatches.