Little Giant Incubator question

[WVHillbilly]

Hello all, I have a forced air Little Giant Incubator with automatic egg turners. I plugged everything up last night and placed a digital humidity/thermometer guage in as well. I am only planning to set around 8 eggs as this is my first hatch. I only put in enough of the egg cups to hold the number of eggs I'm going to set and I placed the thermometer on the egg turner bar. I placed all the egg cups on one side of the incubator. Should I leave it that way or place 1/2 on one side and 1/2 on the other? I checked it this morning and other than the temp being a little too high everything seems to be ok. I have adjusted the temp and will check it again around noon today. When do I add the water? My guess would be to add it this evening. I am planning to set eggs tomorrow 7/16 if all goes well. Does the water only go in the inside ring or do you put some in the wider outside ring as well? Also, can someone please tell me the correct humidity levels? I know the temp should be at 99.5. Thanks for all your help.

Angie

 

[Freckle Face Farm]

Hi Angie I have the forced air little giant...What is your humidity at right know without water..I run mine without adding any water at all but I live in Florida where I have high humidity...So far my best haches are without adding a drop till day 18...

 

[WVHillbilly]

When I checked it this morning there was only 20% humidity according to the guage. I know that's not enough. I'm thinking I read/heard somewhere that it's supposed to be at 65%.

 

[milleryardchx]

Quote:
65 is too high the first 18 days 45 to 50% is good the first 18 days then lock down time 65 is good then, if you do it too high in the beginning you will drown your chicks.

 

[Freckle Face Farm]

Mine stays at 45 and sometimes a little lower.. I think 65 might drowned them... Find out what kind of bator people are using.because I have a still air and forced and they hold humidity different...Also try messing with your humidity a little after you get you heat set..That way you will be ready on day 18..I use a wet sponge...Dont worry to much about opening that force air brings the temp back up reall qiuck not like the still air I love my forced air one its great once you figure it out..

I went from very bad hatches to great hatches...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=198753
Check this thread everyone help me and my last 3 hatches where great guess i should post all my chicks..
Hope this helps and good luck..

Ohh ya!!! placement of eggs put them in the windows so you can watch them hatch....

 

[WVHillbilly]

Is it ok to have all the eggs on one side of the bator or should I split them? Right now all the egg holders are on one side.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Angie,

The humidity should be running for the first 18 days in the 40 to 50% range. I like mine 40% for summer time here in WV. Last 3 days bump it up to 60 to 70% range.

 

[WVHillbilly]

Sandy,
I sent you a pm. Please check.

Thanks,
Angie

 

[Freckle Face Farm]

Quote:

 

[WVHillbilly]

Can anyone verify the best temp to use in the LG bator with egg turners and a fan?