LG Still Air Questions

[lisabug]

Hello all,
I am incubating my first set of eggs in an LG still air. I know they aren't the greatest but it is the right price and it was the only one they had in town. So...that is where I am...

I put my shipped eggs (from Marie Martin) in yesterday. The temperature is about perfect and the humidity about 50%. My problem is the inconsistent temperature IN the bator itself. Toward the top they are about 2 degrees HIGHER than the bottom. I have the top at a little over 100 (I am trying to keep it between 100 and 102). The bottom is near 98 at times..should I try and rearrange so more eggs are in that warmer zone. I "think" the issue is because of the "vent" but I have to have a vent so I am not sure what to do.

Also, what IS the humidity recommendation EVERYTHING I read says something different....

Thanks!!

Lisa

 

[JordanFamily]

You want the top of the eggs to read 101-102deg. that will mean the bottom will be around 99 deg, and I totaly close the vents on my bator unless the humidity gets to high... This has worked for me, I had 21 out of 24 hatch last week using mine....I would say keep an eye on the humidity because it can rise quickly in these incubators. Only add water if it is reading under 40% and only a tiny bit of water...Then increase the humidity to 65-70% 3 days before hatch....Good Luck

 

[jimmy47]

In a still air incubator, you want to put the top of the bulb on the thermometer level with the top of the eggs. You want that temperature to be 101. It is normal for the temperature to be colder down low. The temperature in the middle of the eggs will be correct if the top of the egg is 101. In a still air incubator, the heat is layered and not uniform like it is in one with a fan. The middle of the egg is the average temperature of the top and bottom and that is what makes it work.

 

[lisabug]

Well....let me try ad explain again.

I have 2 thermometers on TOP of my eggs....some near what I am calling the top of the bator are hotter than the ones on the bottom. They are all the same level...They are in an egg turner...but the temps are different at the TOP of the eggs!

Lisa

 

[RoostersCrow]

Lisa,

If I understand,

1. You accept and understand the temp on top of the eggs will be higher (~101) than the temp at the bottom of the eggs (say 98.5 to 99).

2. However... You note that the top temp is different from one area of incubator to another.


First I would look at the area where the bator is set up. Avoid any cold outside walls and avoid drafts for sure. Also look at what vents holes are open. Make sure they are not all just in one area.

Barring that there could be an issue with the heat element. Part of it may not be warming correctly. If that is the case you could move eggs around when you candle to even things out or try to concentrate eggs in the area wher the temp seems best.

 

[lisabug]

Yes! You understand exactly. I checked for drafts (none)...the room is not used and the airduct is on a far side (not blowing cause we have heat/air off). I THINK the culprit is actually the "vent" in the machine..because it is that area....

I might plug up the whole. What is the purpose of the vent?

 

[JordanFamily]

Ok well If you are using two different thermometers they may be off a deg or two from each other from different calibrations. Just make sure the hottest one is at 101 - 102deg. I would not switch the eggs because to much temp change to often can kill them. I would leave them alone in the place they are and cover your vents. The only time you should uncover your vents is if your humidity or temp gets to high. Are you using an egg turner? If you are you should uncover the vents a few minutes each day to allow for air circulation. 99 deg is still good and they may just hatch a day later than the others....Hope this helps. Good Luck

 

[RoostersCrow]

Quote:
There must be air exchange for the eggs (ultimately chicks) to "breath" Otherwise CO2 ... no O2 = dead embryos. Those eggs ARE breathing

I use an LG with forced air. On mine I have small holes ~ 3/16". There are four along one edge and four on the opposite edge so they are spread out evenly.

Can you post a picture of yours?

 

[lisabug]

Thanks, I will plug the hole and exchange air for a little bit each day (turner)...I will make sure 1 stays at that temp....they are the SAME mercury thermometers...so they shouldn't be different. They came with the bator and turner. I took out the plug because the directions told me too....I was trying to follow the directions of the bator as close as I could...

Lisa

 

[RoostersCrow]

JordanFamily has a good point. The thermometers could be off from each other a bit (common problem ... not knowing for sure just which thermometer is "right")