Incubators Anonymous

[DMRippy]

Ewwww weird! I use distilled water myself, that way it is handy to the incubator when needed.

The heat and dry last summer was bad for the taste of the water....

They side it was harmless.....

 

[Indigosands]

I would think that is over kill. Just a couple of drop of bleach or oxine should do it. BUT This is the first I have heard of the issue. I don't even change the water, just keep refilling it.

Oh well, nervous nellie I guess. Trying to avoid any careless mistakes.

 

[Flowerbh]

Visit the Environmental Protection Agency website and just look at all the chemicals that are in your water! Our municipal sewer system add chemicals to only kill certain things....other things like pharmaceuticals, nitrates, rocket fuels, etc are all still there when it gets to you! Babies are being born pre-polluted! It's a scary thing. Look it up yourself! Bet thing is to get a reverse-osmosis system to eliminate 99% of everything! You can even rate your bottled water.....a lot of bottled water is just bottled tap water!

 

[TNBEARCHICK]

Thanks to everyone for your advice on the filmy water!

 

[maryhysong]

ooooh I might just need an intervention! 4 poults hatched Oct 6 still in the living room, 26 eggs in the 'bator due Nov 15, making a deal for some Wellie and Ameraucanas to set the following week and seriously considering the NYD challenge!

 

[puglady]

I hear you! I just had 4 BLRW hatch out as well as a bunch of others from my 1st 1588. Still waiting for the straglers but about 24 in all. I've also got 24 silkie eggs in the other 1588.
I picked up an older GQF cabinet incubator about a month ago. I've got to take some pics of what I've been doing. I paid wayyyy to much for it considering ($250). I should have examined it much closer but was just so excited that someone around here actually had one listed on CL that I ended up taking it.

I basically gutted it as all the screws, metal parts etc were rusted. There was mouse poop when I took the back off and it looked like she hadn't cleaned the crud out of it from her last hatch. I replaced all the screws, the door hinges, used steel wool and rustolium on the other metal parts, replaced two frayed wires, put it back together and used caulking where necessary. The last piece, coil heater, just came in. I need to install it and put the top back on. Its basically brand new now but was a ton of work. I'm still ahead a few dollars but it took up bunches of my time. I should have just bought new.
Now to run it for a few days to ensure that it holds temp/humidity. After that I'll just NEED to try some test eggs. If anyone needs some eggs tested I'm up to the task

. My girls have all stopped laying and are in heavy molt right now, I've had to buy eating eggs for the first time in a year

. I'll probably end up buying a couple of hatching eggs to try it out. The plan is to use the cabinet for the incubator and the 2 1588's for hatchers. That way there's no playing with the humitity in the cabinet and it'll be easier to keep clean.

 

[TNBEARCHICK]

ok, so still humidity problems with my little giant incubators- any suggestions besides adding sponges and extra cups of water? The water is there- I think my 5 hygrometers are not correct even after I calibrated them. What does everyone use for checking humidity on here?

 

[maryhysong]

ok, so still humidity problems with my little giant incubators- any suggestions besides adding sponges and extra cups of water? The water is there- I think my 5 hygrometers are not correct even after I calibrated them. What does everyone use for checking humidity on here?

I don't have a hygrometer and my borrowed incubator (hovabator still air) had lost it's liner with the water pans. I looked at pics on line and tried to get the same size thing; I put in two styrofoam meat trays, kept water in one for incubating and in both for lockdown. My first hatch was pretty sucessful. My second hatch and first with shipped eggs is due tomorrow ;-)

 

[Flowerbh]

so I just got my Christmas present! A new incubator! I have read in one of my books that it isn't a good idea to incubate eggs in the winter months....what is your opinion? Should I wait until Feb so that by March, they can go outside and play!! What is the consensus? Also, does anyone want to volunteer to be my mentor? Someone I could call and ask the million questions I have? I live in the north Ga mountains and don't know anyone to ask!

 

[stevetone]

I don't know what the basis is for not incubating in winter, unless it is to make sure that the chick is fully feathered before kicking it outside.

I would say incubate anytime you want--it just may be easier to manage the soon-to-be pullets and cockerels during certain seasons than in others.

Have fun!