Incubators Anonymous

[Runawaylobster]

You have chickens laying eggs? Then put a half dozen or more under her, replacements from your own folks is good resourcing!!!!

I do but they are all mutts.. I will have some marans next week though ..

 

[Costa Rica Art]

I do but they are all mutts.. I will have some marans next week though ..

All we have is mutts, they lay some awesome eggs though. Isn't that what is all about, oh ya, they are pretty too.

 

[DMRippy]

OK so before I build a new hatcher, I have reworked mine. I even put eggs into lockdown today after. I had a laptop cooler (2 fans and they sucked the heat away from the computer and out another port. The port was pointed at the top of the hatcher, still is just further away AND I cut the cord to one fan. My chicks where drying out too much and I am sick of helping shrink wrapped chicks. I moved the fan next to the light bulb and put the water in front of the fan. My hope is there is less air circulating to dry them out and the humidity will go up a little with more evaporation. What do you think? The humidity was at 68% and temp was ok. Tomorrow will be the real test after it has run all night. Humidity could have been high because I cleaned the hatcher, baskets, shelf liner, and egg cartons.

Goals are less air circulation and more humidity for less shrink wrapping.

 

[ChickNmamma]

OK so before I build a new hatcher, I have reworked mine. I even put eggs into lockdown today after. I had a laptop cooler (2 fans and they sucked the heat away from the computer and out another port. The port was pointed at the top of the hatcher, still is just further away AND I cut the cord to one fan. My chicks where drying out too much and I am sick of helping shrink wrapped chicks. I moved the fan next to the light bulb and put the water in front of the fan. My hope is there is less air circulating to dry them out and the humidity will go up a little with more evaporation. What do you think? The humidity was at 68% and temp was ok. Tomorrow will be the real test after it has run all night. Humidity could have been high because I cleaned the hatcher, baskets, shelf liner, and egg cartons.

Goals are less air circulation and more humidity for less shrink wrapping.

The sportsman has the fan blowing across the top of the humidity trays (2). The incoming air hole is right behind the fan and the outgoing air is at the bottom of the incubator. I have been told to open the top vent and the bottom vent all the way at hatching and put lots of sponges and water in both trays. It sure raises the humidity well with the heated air blowing across those trays.

I think you need air for hatching chicks thought - so don't limit the amount of air they get when they are just learning to breathe. Just make sure the air is humid enough so they can get out ...

it works for you in 3 days...

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
There is plenty of ventilation for fresh air. I didn't change that. The AIR current seemed to strong with 2 strong little fans. I had a hot spot so I put a TINY little fan in the bottom to SUCK air out but it only runs when the heat is running. This other fan runs all the time and was just too much I think. Humidity was OK, but wanted more. Now the water is near the fan an the light bulb so should be circulating warm moist air now. Before It was probably just hot air.

 

[Jungleexplorer]

The story of one brave hen and the 6 little chicks that could. (A poem, but not a very good one.

)

The was once a little white hen; just a common backyard mix. "I will not be like all the rest" said she. "I will lay my eggs just for me."
She would not lay her eggs in the coop with all the rest. In the woods she made her nest. When her nest was full; to hatch her eggs she sat about. Lovingly and patiently she waited for 21 one days for little chicks to come out.
But on the night before her eggs were due, a mean skunk came to take a few. She fought hard to keep him away, until she could fight no more and he carried her away.
There her eggs laid, in the cold dark night. No momma to help them and keep them warm, in their hatching plight.
They were of no special breed, that all would love to see; but they could still hear their Momma's say, "You are very special to me".
So through the night they fought, there on the cold cold ground. With their Momma's spirit to guide them, their inner strength they found.
One by one they broke free, from the shell that would be there end; until at last there were six, that their battle they did win.
Shivering they huddle close together, their on the cold ground; all they had was each other, there was no one else around.
As the morn began to break, they began to cheep so loud; hoping that someone would come to help them, if they could only hear the sound. Across the wind their voice did carry, to the farmer who was making his rounds.
When the farmer finally found them, "What is this I see." A nest full of chickies, that their Mamma hid from me."
The story of their mother's bravery was written, in her feathers scattered round. But there her chicks safe but shivering, on the cold cold ground. Amazed the farmer was, at the scene that he did see, " How these chicks did hatched without a mother, is a mystery to me." "
These chicks are of no special breeding; I would not have hatched them if it were up to me. But because of this valiant deed they did, they are wonder for me to see". He gathered them up to safety and carried them home to stay, because of their courage and bravery, they will see a better day. The End.


The Six little chicks that could.


Their brave Mamma.

 

[DMRippy]

That was GREAT! Made me want to cry.

 

[ChickNmamma]

I did cry - poor little chickies. Brave (but somewhat foolish) momma.

 

[Runawaylobster]

OK so before I build a new hatcher, I have reworked mine. I even put eggs into lockdown today after. I had a laptop cooler (2 fans and they sucked the heat away from the computer and out another port. The port was pointed at the top of the hatcher, still is just further away AND I cut the cord to one fan. My chicks where drying out too much and I am sick of helping shrink wrapped chicks. I moved the fan next to the light bulb and put the water in front of the fan. My hope is there is less air circulating to dry them out and the humidity will go up a little with more evaporation. What do you think? The humidity was at 68% and temp was ok. Tomorrow will be the real test after it has run all night. Humidity could have been high because I cleaned the hatcher, baskets, shelf liner, and egg cartons.

Goals are less air circulation and more humidity for less shrink wrapping.

I think putting the water in front of the fan is a really good idea. In my incubator the tray sits in front of the fans, and then the extra pads stand up vertically directly in the air flow so it almost has to blow through them. I get around 65% - 68% I have to use both pads and refills occur quite often. I think your changes will help.. fingers crossed ..

 

[Runawaylobster]

All we have is mutts, they lay some awesome eggs though. Isn't that what is all about, oh ya, they are pretty too.

Actually i just hatched 25 Mutts in my incubator, but they are for sale because i already have too many chickens...I am kinda sad that i won't see what they look like when they grow up.. I already see one has a little comb just like titfer (the redcap in my avatar) Yes i agree they will be healthy egg layers simply because they are hybrids.. but they are so hard for me to sell and with my current chicken family i could easily get very overwhelmed..