Little Giant Incubator Tricks

[cmom]

Quote:
This is what I have done in the past. I have gone to a grocery store in town and asked if I could have one of their big boxes that melons come in. They are usually glad to give them away. I put some litter in the bottom with some chicken wire over the top and put a heat lamp on the wire.

 

[Arielle]

RIght temps are everything-- Have you considered bying a high quality digital thermometer from a reputable source-- I'm sure I could find a specific product name if you like.

The instructions in the LG, mention the need to calibrate the thermometer they include. I ditch that thermometer and rely on others instead that I have tested.

WHERE the temp is taken also matters in the LG. ONe person may set the thermometers between the eggs in the turner. I prefer to take teps on top o eggs and on the mesh floor and average them. BUt the average is not right if the readings are off.

CMOM will have a better idea of the problem as she has faaaaaar more experience, so I am only guessing . . . was it spiking that caused the late deaths, or what? IF temps were running high, the hatching is early, if the babies are too swollen with water and eggs not dry enough they cannot internally pip.

DId you open the eggs to look at them??? It is difficult, but helpful.

 

[CrookdBeak13]

RIght temps are everything-- Have you considered bying a high quality digital thermometer from a reputable source-- I'm sure I could find a specific product name if you like.

The instructions in the LG, mention the need to calibrate the thermometer they include. I ditch that thermometer and rely on others instead that I have tested.

WHERE the temp is taken also matters in the LG. ONe person may set the thermometers between the eggs in the turner. I prefer to take teps on top o eggs and on the mesh floor and average them. BUt the average is not right if the readings are off.

CMOM will have a better idea of the problem as she has faaaaaar more experience, so I am only guessing . . . was it spiking that caused the late deaths, or what? IF temps were running high, the hatching is early, if the babies are too swollen with water and eggs not dry enough they cannot internally pip.

DId you open the eggs to look at them??? It is difficult, but helpful.

I did open them all. Most of them were dry, they were 2 that looked as though they had never absorbed their yolk. I will be purchasing a new thermometer, but it actually was reading 3° high, so instead of 100° it was reading 97°.....
I ditched the LG thermometer after the first hatch...

I had one thermometer on the floor and the one that I now know was reading high in between the eggs.....knowing what I know now, that makes sense for the one on the floor being accurate....you live and you learn....

I will keep the LG, but I have to figure out a way to maintain a better temperature.

I'm kind of excited about the roll-x I am picking up tonight! I have read great things! I will post pictures later. Thanks so much for your help and knowledge.

 

[quailtrail]

Day #21 nothing yet!!!??? I am going out of my mind. They were looking good before lockdown. Could it be from them being locked down on day #17? I could just cry!!!

 

[aart]

Day #21 nothing yet!!!??? I am going out of my mind. They were looking good before lockdown. Could it be from them being locked down on day #17? I could just cry!!!

Patience......sometimes things go a bit slow....you'll wake tomorrow and hear cheeping!

 

[cmom]

Day #21 nothing yet!!!??? I am going out of my mind. They were looking good before lockdown. Could it be from them being locked down on day #17? I could just cry!!!

Some variety of quail can take up to 23 days to hatch. Maybe roll the eggs. When chicks hatch they bump into the eggs while roaming around in the incubator and roll the eggs though it is not intentional. Maybe take one out and put it to your ear and tap on it and see if you hear anything. Just a suggestion.

 

[quailtrail]

Some variety of quail can take up to 23 days to hatch. Maybe roll the eggs. When chicks hatch they bump into the eggs while roaming around in the incubator and roll the eggs though it is not intentional. Maybe take one out and put it to your ear and tap on it and see if you hear anything. Just a suggestion.

Thx they are Dominique eggs now day #22...trying to be optimistic

 

[Arielle]

Perhaps the temps were running a bit low . . .

 

[quailtrail]

101 on top of eggs...automatic turner and humidity 40%

I hope something will hatch. This was the one I was working up to...

 

[cmom]

101 on top of eggs...automatic turner and humidity 40%

I hope something will hatch. This was the one I was working up to...

Are you sure your thermometer is accurate?