Incubators Anonymous

[Arielle]

Quote:
Donna pretty much covered it.

Only 1 other suggestion. Weigh your eggs to track moisture (weight) loss or check the air cell for proper development. You can adjust the moisture level to decrease the moisture loss in the eggs or increase the loss. Of course, moderate moisture loss is the goal, but sometimes a faster or slower moisture loss is required.

13-15% weight loss by day 18.

Look for an air cell diagram using this google search: size of air cell at 7th, 14th and 18th day

 

[Arielle]

I keep checking my homemade incubator incubating the last of my eggs. Ever hopeful a straggler will show up. I only got 4 marans to hatch out of 2 dozen eggs. Very expensive babies. So keep hoping a few more may hatch. While checking temps thinking it's time to select a shut down date a faint "cheep" had me tapping each egg hoping for a reply. No reply. But another cheep as the lid replaced. HOPING IT'S A MARANS!

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
What day are you thinking? I have heard of them hatching on day 27 so don't give up. I am going into lockdown on Friday and they should hatch by monday. BUT I am going to keep them in till I put the next batch in lockdown ... can't hurt right?

 

[Arielle]

Quote:
What day are you thinking? I have heard of them hatching on day 27 so don't give up. I am going into lockdown on Friday and they should hatch by monday. BUT I am going to keep them in till I put the next batch in lockdown ... can't hurt right?

I've resigned myself to no more from the marans eggs. Did get 2 with Grisom blood and 2 pure Bev Davis. None of the Wade Jean c1 eggs hatched. None.

When I shake the eggs, I hear the yolk rolling around. I did break one open to see-- a non-starter. Since many have this sound, many are non-starters. Not willing to shut off the incubator yet though.

I did arrive home today to 2 fuzzies in the incubator. 2 from my own eggs. Incubator is working. Shipped eggs are not. I will make do with the 4 as they will add new blood into my current stock.

 

[Arielle]

Forgot to ask.

I would like to build a stacker brooder each level about 18" high. four feet by 8 feet. 3 levels high. I'm looking for alternative heating sources. Heat lampsusing a bulb in with a low ceiling sound unsafe.

Other brooder heating methods?

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
YES!!!!

Brinsea makes a wonderful item called an EcoGlow brooder, a 20 and a 50 model. I will NEVER go back to using heat lamps again! The EcoGlow units provide gentle heat from the underside of an adjustable panel; chicks huddle under it to warm up, just like they do with Mama Hen. They run under and back out freely, going under it when they are cold. These are low voltage units and there is no visible light to upset circadian rhythmns or keep chicks awake at night.

Check 'em out at www.brinsea.com

 

[bikerchic]

Quote:
YES!!!!

Brinsea makes a wonderful item called an EcoGlow brooder, a 20 and a 50 model. I will NEVER go back to using heat lamps again! The EcoGlow units provide gentle heat from the underside of an adjustable panel; chicks huddle under it to warm up, just like they do with Mama Hen. They run under and back out freely, going under it when they are cold. These are low voltage units and there is no visible light to upset circadian rhythmns or keep chicks awake at night.

Check 'em out at www.brinsea.com

I love my EcoGlow!! The chicks do too. I think they feel secure under there. The only thing I hate is I can't watch them as much!

 

[Arielle]

Quote:
YES!!!!

Brinsea makes a wonderful item called an EcoGlow brooder, a 20 and a 50 model. I will NEVER go back to using heat lamps again! The EcoGlow units provide gentle heat from the underside of an adjustable panel; chicks huddle under it to warm up, just like they do with Mama Hen. They run under and back out freely, going under it when they are cold. These are low voltage units and there is no visible light to upset circadian rhythmns or keep chicks awake at night.

Check 'em out at www.brinsea.com

THank you!!! Sounds exactly what I'm looking for!

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
YES!!!!

Brinsea makes a wonderful item called an EcoGlow brooder, a 20 and a 50 model. I will NEVER go back to using heat lamps again! The EcoGlow units provide gentle heat from the underside of an adjustable panel; chicks huddle under it to warm up, just like they do with Mama Hen. They run under and back out freely, going under it when they are cold. These are low voltage units and there is no visible light to upset circadian rhythmns or keep chicks awake at night.

Check 'em out at www.brinsea.com

Sounds like that would be cheaper than brooder bulbs and electricity too! Might have to get some in the spring when I start selling chicks

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
if you want to homebrew something like brinsea's, you could go with the flexwatt heat tape. comes in a variety of widths and appears to be fairly safe. I was contemplating that myself here recently, one of my ceramic heat emitters died. well, it was only 10 years old.