IncuCube Bator

[Spinster_Sister]

The IncuCube hatch is complete.

9 Hatchlings
1 Died in shell
2 Infertile


Tips I've picked up:

Keep all the bowls full of water if you're using the turner.

Once you find a perfect spot for protuding wires, DO NOT MOVE THE BOX OR THE WIRES. There is a temperature variance, about 2 degress or so, then the temperature will drop about 4, then back up...I just let it ride - I would if it increased/decreased over 5.
On one particularly cold night, I did wrap a fleece throw around it, just not covering the air holes and I woke up at 5am to see the temperature at 97, so I was happy that I used the throw.

I am tired. (I am still hatching comparision eggs in the hovabator that were started one day after the IncuCube).

I wish the Best of Luck to everyone waiting for replacement parts.

Positive vibes being sent for happy chicks!

 

[andalusn]

still hatching,, of the 11 eggs currently have 7 chicks with more working on emerging. Did have one chick that has hatched and part of the shell and other stuff are stuck to the back of the peep. Any hints on how to remove?

 

[pirtykitty]

I heard from Randy Friday morning and they are sending me out a new top for incucube, an replacement turner and also th hydrometer/thermometer ...

Glad to hear babies are hatching out..

 

[Spinster_Sister]

use a very warm washcloth to help peel it off, gently dab it, but you can wait a bit since you still have some hatching, how is your humidity?

 

[Spinster_Sister]

My entire hatch is complete and the IncuCube blew the Hovabator away.

IncuCube: 9 live hatchlings, 1 Died in shell, 2 infertile

Hovabator: 4 live hatchings, 4 died in shell, 3 infertile

The one hatchling with the neurological issue is well now. I gave it poly sol vitamins, greek yogurt and 1/2 vitamin e mini capsule and the next morning it was up and it's head is pointing straight ahead and not completely behind.

 

[andalusn]

Quote:
The chick with the shell stuck to it managed to free itself with time or help from the other chicks climbing all over each other. I see a very tiny sort of bald spot which is much smaller than the area the shell was covering. The other chick in the IncuCube had quite a large opening and I could see the beak poking out and peeping noises for over 24 hours so today I took a look and the poor thing was almost glued to the opening. The other chicks roll the egg onto its side and it stuck to the matt slightly and as the down dried it basically glued the opening shut. Today I very carefully examined the shell with the little mite peeping and poking like mad through part of the opening. With it's chance at nill I went a head and drizzled some water around the dried part and held it in my palm. Within about 5 min with all the wigling the chick was doing the shell started to move. I placed it back in the bator and within a few more min it managed to free itself. It's exhausted but has managed to last all day. It looks like maybe more sticky contents of the shell are stuck to it, it's not fluffy like the others that I moved to the brooder late this afternoon. Thinking that tomorrow morning I may give it a delicate sponge bath to see if it cleans up better now that it is getting stronger. Should I give it something to drink for energy?

During my 21 days of incubation the humidity was at 48 - 50% and during lockdown with both bowls full it stayed at 50% and of the 11 eggs I have 8 chicks and what appear to be 3 duds left. Maybe next time I will add a sponge too. I am confused as they all seemed to hatch okay with the same humidity reading for the whole time. Temp was also very constant as well.

 

[Spinster_Sister]

The second to the last chick needed help to get out of her shell. Her pip hole didn't expand in over 24 hours and her beak was protruding and she was peeping slowly. I took the chance and peeled some of the shell off to help her out. After another 2 hours she still couldn't make it out, so more shell and a little bit of gluey membrane off and she wiggled out. I added a very damp washcloth to the incucube and the next morning the last egg hatched on it's own.

Would a full size sponge stay enough throughout a lockdown?

 

[marymac]

Well my incubating is done for now. All 12 of my chicks were dead again, this was the second try with the incuCube. I think when it quit working properly and I tried using a heating pad my temps were too high and they probably got cooked. Too many variables , I don't know. So now I am waiting to get my new top in the mail. I don't know for sure if I'll do it right away or not. This is just so disappointing, I don't know how people do it all the time.

 

[cthrash1]

I recieved an IncuCube last week and have had it running for 3 days. After setting it to a steady temp it has been holding itself at 100.4 with 44% humidity. I put two eggs in that I snatched from the nest of one of my three broodies... Finally marked the eggs so I know what not to take from them. Thought I had them under control(2 with bantam eggs, 1 with bcm eggs) til I was finding my eggs from the remaining layers... Well found out that the Java had been stealing eggs that were laid each day. Was beginning to think the rest of the non broody ladies went on strike. So now even though the others are marked, I feel I need to candle all I bring in to cook.

 

[marymac]

You just can't trust those dern chickens...lol