Little Giant Help

[Johill]

Hi all, I’m new to posting here, but have read many helpful posts.
im coming into my second year with my chickens, and I’m starting to incubate.... I purchased a little giant (with auto fan) to start, but I can not seem to get consistent temperatures :-(
I bought the first one at the beginning of the week and exchanged it because it wouldn’t even get up to the right temp... but this second one isn’t keeping consistent temps... does anyone have experience with this machine? Or have any advice for me? A few more days and I’ll have lost my window for these eggs :-(

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

I use the Little Giant without the fan and have pretty good hatch rates. Do you have a second thermometer in it? The thermometer on the incubator is always wrong. My first time I hatched 38 out of 42 in mine.

 

[Johill]

Ya I had one inside and an laser one to check it in the first one I had... I’ll check the new one with them too... but if I open it to add water the temp drops drastically... I just don’t get it :-( it cant be right

 

[007Sean]

Ya I had one inside and an laser one to check it in the first one I had... I’ll check the new one with them too... but if I open it to add water the temp drops drastically... I just don’t get it :-( it cant be right

It will drop drastically but the internal egg temp is what you need to be concerned about....opening the bator to add water, turn the eggs if no auto turner is used will only drop the temp for a short period of time. It should return to normal operating temp within a few minutes. It usually is not enough time to affect the internal temp of the eggs.

 

[Johill]

It will drop drastically but the internal egg temp is what you need to be concerned about....opening the bator to add water, turn the eggs if no auto turner is used will only drop the temp for a short period of time. It should return to normal operating temp within a few minutes. It usually is not enough time to affect the internal temp of the eggs.

Nah I certainly think something is wrong, it takes way more than a few mins to get back up to temp. Actually in 24hours it was at temp once :-(

 

[007Sean]

Nah I certainly think something is wrong, it takes way more than a few mins to get back up to temp. Actually in 24hours it was at temp once :-(

They are notorious for having cold/hot spots and not returning to temp or spiking.
Some peeps put tape around the outside edges to seal the gaps to help in temp control. Have also seen self backing foam used to get a good seal between the top and bottom...and some peeps use a towel to help in temp control.
Your just going to have to play around with it until you can get a semi steady temp
It is frustrating but they are not known to be "plug & play bators. If you can get a good average temp range (95°F to 101°F) then they will probably be ok, don't worry to much about a constant temp, it won't happen with a LG bator right out of the box. Also the digital controller that LG uses is notorious for inaccuracies.

 

[Johill]

They are notorious for having cold/hot spots and not returning to temp or spiking.
Some peeps put tape around the outside edges to seal the gaps to help in temp control. Have also seen self backing foam used to get a good seal between the top and bottom...and some peeps use a towel to help in temp control.
Your just going to have to play around with it until you can get a semi steady temp
It is frustrating but they are not known to be "plug & play bators. If you can get a good average temp range (95°F to 101°F) then they will probably be ok, don't worry to much about a constant temp, it won't happen with a LG bator right out of the box. Also the digital controller that LG uses is notorious for inaccuracies.

They are notorious for having cold/hot spots and not returning to temp or spiking.
Some peeps put tape around the outside edges to seal the gaps to help in temp control. Have also seen self backing foam used to get a good seal between the top and bottom...and some peeps use a towel to help in temp control.
Your just going to have to play around with it until you can get a semi steady temp
It is frustrating but they are not known to be "plug & play bators. If you can get a good average temp range (95°F to 101°F) then they will probably be ok, don't worry to much about a constant temp, it won't happen with a LG bator right out of the box. Also the digital controller that LG uses is notorious for inaccuracies.

Thanks very much at least I’m not going crazy lol. I’m in Canada and if I convert that than I’m between 33 and 38 it’s often sitting at 36 and 37... I’ll try some of those tricks for sealing! My house temp isn’t cranked we don’t need nor like it extremely warm, but it’s close to the temps they recommend so I hope that’s not an issue!

 

[007Sean]

Thanks very much at least I’m not going crazy lol. I’m in Canada and if I convert that than I’m between 33 and 38 it’s often sitting at 36 and 37... I’ll try some of those tricks for sealing! My house temp isn’t cranked we don’t need nor like it extremely warm, but it’s close to the temps they recommend so I hope that’s not an issue!

A steady room temp will help tremendously to keeping the temp more stable in the bator.

 

[cmom]

If you can hatch in a LG, you can hatch in most anything. This thread should help you. It has a lot of good information. Good luck and have fun...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/little-giant-incubator-tricks.601352/

 

[cmom]

A broody will usually get off of her nest for a little while every day to eat, drink and poop yet the chicks still hatch. Again, good luck and have fun...