Incubators Anonymous

[newtwinmom]

since I have one Hovabator specifically used as a hatcher, I took out the wire grate and plastic liner, so I hatch right on the floor of the 'bator with just paper towels layered on it.  I don't like using terrycloth since I've had chicks snag toenails in the loops before.

Do the Hovabators have water channels like the LGs? How do you keep them out of the water? Sponges?

 

[TAMMACLEAN]

As lockdown hits I put water in the small channels in the incubator then I take two dish towels and get them wet and put them over the metal. This way no tiny toes get hurt and it adds moisture.

 

[shewatson]

Great idea, we were think of doing something like that. Do you put it through the top or through the side? Thanks!

The side close so it goes into the largest channel for water

 

[gander007]

Planning on incubating Turkey, Goose and chicken eggs together in my Hova bator still air, picking up the Turkey and Goose eggs today. I know I can do the Turkey and Chicken in my egg turner but how to position the Goose eggs? there are going to be 6 My plan was to take out 2 or three of the turner trays and just lay the goose eggs on there sides and turn three times a day?? Any better idea's?? Anyone have photo's of what there incubators look like with all three egg types placed together? All I have incubated to date is chickens... I have a couple concerns, I am going to buy another thing to measure temp and humidity today because I know if I lay the goose eggs down the temp would be different for them then at the top of the turkey eggs (which will be in the turner) unless I just don't use the turner at all and turn eggs by hand??

Wow that is going to be quite a job incubating in the same incubator at the same time I do think you do need to be taking special care to pencil mark each one to start by candling and marking the air and an X and O on opposite sides and the start date for air sack and watch the air sack grow or not grow ...

Now the goose need's special humidity requirements and a spritz of water spray each day

I have managed to hatch mixed egg's in the incubator but it also takes extra attention on your part

Now the goose egg's are a large egg so you will need to skip an egg hole for good spacing and the first and last trays can not have goose egg's as they will fall out of those ones or you can just lay them in the extra space at ether end of the automatic turner and turn them on your own at least 3 times a day ...

gander007

 

[ozexpat]

The task challenge is the stl air incubator and the height of the eggs.

If you could perhaps boost the height of the turkey and chicken eggs so that their center was the same w height as the center of the goose egg. Then measure your temperature at top of chicken eggs

 

[misbhaven]

I have never done goose but I have chicken, duck and turkey all in right now...just got a second incubator to use as a hatcher.. but here is what i did..i let the humidity kind of roller coaster i would get it high then let it drop low then add water.. so the chicken eggs air cell grew right and i got a metal spray bottle from the dollar tree...light can't pass so no icky stuff grows just kept it at room temp and misted the duck eggs..the duck eggs did well even with high humidity from chicken egg lock down...I have to Chinese yellow forced air but for lock down i just removed a couple rails put in a little plastic baskets lined with paper towels...

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
no, I use a bowl with wire cover. then if I need to bump the humidity a bit i'll dribble some water on the paper or on the egg crates I hatch in.

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
no, it's flat. the water channels are in the plastic liner, that I've removed.
I keep a 2 cup plastic bowl with hardware cloth on top for the water reservoir. the hardware cloth keeps the chicks from trying to drown.

 

[AmericanMom]

oz and others who have contributed to trying to help.... thank you!! so here is what I have done, will try and get pictures tomorrow...... I left the turkey eggs in the Turner, they are my #1 concern and what i have hoped and dreamed about hatching, the goose eggs not at all but accepted them more because she was just going to toss them and i figured what the heck ... instead of taking the turkey eggs out of the Turner and having to raise each of them to the level of the geese eggs I instead just raised the goose eggs. I took an egg carton and cut the bottom out and cut it in half lengthwise and was able to lay the goose eggs horizontally on that bringing them up to the level of the turkey eggs... will figure out the chicken eggs when I place them in Saturday

 

[ozexpat]

Great job