Incubators Anonymous

[ozexpat]

I am anticipating 400 eggs to be set in 7 days.

200 in my CocoBeach bator right now

30 in my SoCal bedroom - candling tonight

We have over 300 chicks and juvies and 120 adults.

 

[chickensnbees]

I'm afraid to count also but I'm even more afraid of ever getting to DMRippy's status! Wow!

 

[SAHchickenmom]

I thought I was bad! I have 40 that go into lockdown on Friday, plus another 60 that I set over the weekend. Had 7/12 hatch Saturday which was my first successful hatch! Now I'm trying to figure out what I'm gonna put in the empty tray on Friday...hmmm I'm thinking Phoenix from a friend.

 

[ChickenFox]

Quote:

Let me try this again - whether you use 12, 110 or 220 voltage or measure in oC or oF

What to look for in digital thermostats


The above model - normally sold branded STC-1000 has seperate cooling and heating circuits.


What you dont want



As one connection is power, the second is the thermometer -the final one is heating AND cooling. This is fine in the home brew market that these devices are originally built for but the delay in the engaging of the relay on the heat circuit is problematic in incubators



This device shows 4 sets of teminals but 5-6 are not wired. 1-2 are the heat and cool terminals the WILLHI branded unit is sold by several companies under different brands.

The second think of note is the temp probes. You should aim for the waterproof black senser rather than the shiny metal end. This way you can check calibration by submerging in 0oC (32oF) iced water with more confidence. The WILLHI modelsI have bought have always had the shiny sensor


I have bought all three types and leant from mistakes. Make sure you spend the extra 2 or 3 dollars and buy the best thermostat.


I have bought in excess of 20 of these devices and built incubators with them. I have yet to find one that has both cool and heat circuits as well as a display that shows Farenheight.

The specs and instruction sheets on most devices are poorly translated Chinese. Youtube has great videos on how to wire them.

How I verify calibration on a thermostat.



sitting on my coffee pot i have a heavily ice filled glass of water, when i moved the probe i got it down to 0.1oC



Then I put the probe deep under my tongue for 5 minutes and measure against a high grade medical themometer and my brinsea spot check.

I have very high confidence in these devices having verifies so many and then used them to hatch with. They become the "trusted" thermometer in my incubator.

When it comes to incubating eggs with any new incubator, it is advisable to do at least one test run with less important eggs. and at the end of the hatch, adjust the temp up or down based on the concept that your eggs should hatch (not pip) on the 21st day (480-504 hrs).

The STC 1000 brand is set to cycle with a 0.5C . It can be adjusted down to 0.3C. When you set the thermostat at 38.0C the unit will heat the bator until it hits 38.0C and then shut off. Depending on the size of your bator, circulation and heater style, you will get an over shoot. This occurs with any thermostat and is a function of your heating element not the thermostat. As the incubator cools, if set for 0.3C, the thermistat will turn back on the heat source when the temp probe reads 37.7 C. There will be a dip below that was the heating element warms up. The net result, like all incubators, is an oscillating temperature that should average your goal.

When converting a styro bator with a low wattage metal cased element, i set at 38.0C as the temp will oscillate between 37.3 and 38.3. The temp with a probe inside a water wigglie is then 37.8.

On a cabinet bator with a ceramic 250W element, I set to 37.9.

On new bators i use a USB temp logger to record the temp inside a water wigglie as well as bator air temps for 24 hours.

Thank you for the advice Oz.

 

[TherryChicken]

Ladycat, if you change your mind, just let me know

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
if you were closer I'd build you some... that's one of the things I do on the side. (which is the only job I have at the moment...)

mockup of my design and how I build/sell them.

a single brooder


a single, 2-high and 3-high shelf unit (the 3-high is difficult to work with if you have problems bending or happen to be short)


some of the shelf units I've worked with. (the brooder sits on the slatted shelf, solid is for storage/work areas.
I have one customer right now I'm building a 2x2 (high/wide) setup with top workshelf (#3 double-wide).

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
lets see... 120 eggs (approximately) tho some were just set a few days ago so I haven't cleared out any clears yet (test hatch for new pen)

plus 30 chicks under one broody, 20 chicks under another and one with 8. just sold 22 yesterday out from under another girl who's mad at me.

 

[ladycat]

Ladycat, if you change your mind, just let me know

About counting? I'll think about it.

 

[TherryChicken]

About counting? I'll think about it. 

about the brooder dementions and pictures

 

[TherryChicken]

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