Its FINALLY here!!---incubator temp issues on genesis

[k625]

My incubator that I ordered on March 4th from Home and BB finally came! Come to find out it would have been here earlier, but when I placed my order on the 4th, and come to find out Home and BB did not put the order in at GQF until the 12th!!!! Oh well...its here, now and im so happy!!

I do have a question for all of you experineced hatchers!!

I have placed the incubator in an office I have, in the closet. Its not a walk in closet, but just a reg. size bedroom closet. I currently have the doors closed. Will this get too hot in there, or will it be ok? The only reason its like this is beacuse I have cats that feel the need to sit on everything!! Thanks everyone! Cant wait to start hatching out some of my polish, and my test polish from Jen!!!

 

[NancyP]

Hi, I'm not an expert but I am happy to help if I can. As for putting your incubator in the closet you will just have to try it out for a couple of days and see what the temp does. I would guess it would be ok. I totally understand the cat issue I have 3 that own our house. Good luck and happy hatching

Nancy

 

[adrian]

I keep my incubator in the closet with great results. There are no drafts, no light, and no disturbances. The temperature stays very stable even in my wafer thermostat Hovabator. I am going to be getting a Genesis incubator later this week / early next week... So excited. I haven't lost a baby to temperature spikes before in my incubator.

Which model did you get?

 

[k625]

I purchased the Genesis.

My other question after doing some more reading within the booklet they gave is about the water trough. On/in the fron of tbe booklet it shows just the inner most trough shaped like a flag, filled up with water....the on the inside it shows 2 troughs filled with water and says "use center trough for setting both troughs for hatching" This is word for word what it says, and im a bit confused?? Which one or one's do I fill?

 

[adrian]

You just fill one trough when incubating eggs, and when you stop turning and start "gearing down" for the hatch, you fill both.

I would, however, use a proper hydrometer (I would suggest 2-3, to average the humidity that is shown on each one as they tend to vary in accuracy) rather than relying on their instructions.

 

[k625]

sorry adrian im a bit lost..what do you mean 2-3...2-3 what? And what exactly it a hydrometer?? LOL sorry im so new at this!

Also how do you refill the trough when it goes down? Is it ok to open the bator? I heard someone mention using a straw or something???

 

[adrian]

No worries! Everyone starts somewhere. I'm sure you'll learn a lot this time through. Kudos for choosing a great first incubator, too. It's worth the extra money.

I mean that you should have 2 or 3 hydrometers, rather than just one. They can show different humidity readings and therefore it's better to have two or more so that you can average humidity. It's more important to do this with thermometers than hydrometers, as temperature is more crucial. But the Genesis is pretty stable and shouldn't give you big fluctuations.

A hydrometer is a device to measure atmospheric humidity. If I were you, I would go to a pet store and pick up two or three digital thermometer / hydrometers. They tend to have two-in-one packages that measure humidity and temperature together. They can be pricey but are worth it. In my incubator I have a $30 food thermometer from Walmart, an old thermometer/hydrometer for house temperature, and two reptile thermometer/hydrometers. I have a lot of devices that allow me to know the average temperature and humidity.

You can lift up the lid and add water. I would suggest buying a small spray bottle, filling with water about 100 - 105 degrees Fahrenheit and then putting it in the incubator and keeping it there. It will help you regulate temperature and it is helpful as you can quickly open it and pour some water into the troughs or even just spray a little water in the troughs depending on how much humidity is needed. You can also buy tubing for aquarium vacuums and stick the tube through the opened vent, position it over the trough and then pour water, using a funnel cup, through the tube into the trough. It can be a little difficult to get a hang of at first, but is very useful during hatching.

Feel free to ask me any questions!

 

[NancyDz]

I would go to walmart and get the $6 digital hydrometer /thermometer. Pet stores jack up the prices on the reptile ones. I've got 2 of them, one was accurate , one was off by one... you can test their accuracy and then allow for it. There are tons of threads on here on how to do it, its real easy.

 

[k625]

thanks so much adrian! That is so helpful! I am getting something from my friend tomorrow who hatched out chicks a while ago. It has a tiny little cord that goes in, and read temp, and humidity she said. On Friday I will be by a walmart, and will pick up an extra one or two to add in as well. Everything I have been reading varies a bit on what the humidity should be. An average of 25-50% seems to be what the majority says...correct? lol. Thanks again for all your help!!!!!

Thanks Nancy for the walmart tip! Are they down the pet section?

 

[k625]

I will have to wait until I get another thermometer tomorrow, to check accuracy, but on the one given, it looks like is about 101 in there.....will see how it is in the morning! Not putting any eggs in at least for another 24hrs, so not a big concern right this second!