Little Giant Incubator Tricks

[cmom]

Quote: I think you just calibrated your digital one!! If you keep the digital in the same location you know the top is about 102; I like the digital because I can read it quickly; I like the glass because I can see 0.5 degrees. Incubating is mostly about learning your equipment and that location, location, location effects the temperature reading.
I agree. Here is a thermometer/hygrometer I bought from Incubator Warehouse. I calibrated it and works beautiful.

​

 

[Arielle]

Quote:
Glad to share--may save you some heart aches and unnecessary losses.

You must give it at least 24 hours. DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING. Just because the thermometer may jump up high, which I hear can happen, but I havent' had it happen, watch and see how long it stays spiked. You worked too hard to get the temp set correctly.

Also MARK it on the LG ( a black line on the label under the knob area AND on the knob you added) as a point of reference; and you will know if it has gotten bumped by accident.

Have you read CHooksCHick's cheat sheet?? It is a very good read for the novice LG user. SHe uses another one set up as a hatcher because of the setting difference.

 

[SunnySkies]

All but one has something in it! The one with nothing is a large white egg, which is what I kept back for eating. The rest are cream or brown eggs, kept because I was hoping for anything other than black birds

 

[Arielle]

How many are growing?

 

[cmom]

I have a broody sitting on a dozen eggs due to hatch Sunday or Monday.

 

[Arielle]

Natures Incubator!!

 

[SunnySkies]

I have 5, IIRC, with the one clear making 6.

The only issue with the bator in the basement is the RH. It hovers at an average of 27%. Temp is a consisten 100.

 

[Arielle]

I have 5, IIRC, with the one clear making 6.

The only issue with the bator in the basement is the RH. It hovers at an average of 27%. Temp is a consisten 100.

You can add water if you need to bring up the RH. I've had good luck at 30-35% and when it fluctuates 27-35%. Much depends on air flow and the number of eggs crowding the incubator and other factors.

USe candling to verify the correct rate of moisture loss from the eggs. Have you made a printout to use while candling on days 7, 14 and 18? You are shooting for a 11-13% weight loss.

For example: when my turkey eggs had air cells a little bigger than I wanted in the days before lock down, I moved them to the hatcher and the higher 50-60% RH early. I was trying to stop further moisture loss. Hatched 4/6.

 

[SunnySkies]

I've been adding water, but it drops again within a couple hours, no matter how I add it. It's like the dry air down there innthe basement and the air flow through the incubator suck it right out. Worries me for lockdown or if I need to slow moisture loss before lockdown. I had a very hard time keeping RH up and never did get it to 70% even going back, rereading this entire thread (I've actually read it twice) and using all the tips during my last and highly unsuccessful hatch. Highest it gotwas 65% but it didn't stay there for long and i had to help it, and i woke up to a dry bator every morning. Not that it mattered. Chicks died around day 17-18. But I'm thinking of things to do this time to get the RH up when needed.

 

[Arielle]

70% is really close to the 80% used for turkeys. WHen hatching chickens I use a much lower RH. ANd I do think the key is strong chicks that pip and zip quickly.

This summer I woke up to 7 eggs that pipped and zipped overnight at 35% RH. Chicks running everywhere and fell thru the grate--hadn't move them to the hatcher yet.

IMO the higher moisture helps with preventing the membrane stick to the chick once externally pipped. You can assist these chicks with a little care and patience.

I'm mulling over how to keep moisture up longer. Perhaps one of these ideas might work.

1. Add humidifier.
2. Pan of water under the incubator, BUT NOT blocking air vents.
3. Keep refilling wells everyday. Not a problem as hen gets off everyday for 30-60 minutes. My girls do any way.
4. Look up info for those who hatch in the desert. THey add water regularly.
5. Block one plug, especially over fan. If you have a fan, moisture is lost more quickly; and because it increases air flow, you can put one plug in. Watch the temperature for a day or two.
6.SUspend a sponge under one of the red plug holes; allow 1/2 inch space to allow for air flow. add water via the red plug hole.
7. SOrry I can't remember and late so , if you have a turner in, put a sponge in the empty hole near motor. OR a half plastic egg, or plastic egg with a hole drilled in one end and tape shut if not leak proof, or you may want it to leak--?
8. SOme people add a small tupperware type container with holes poked to allow water out.
9. SOme people put a sponge UNDER the wire on the floor, DO NOT cover vent holes. You may need to cut a sponge depending on the sponge size.
10. Basements are usually moist-- do you have a dehumidier going in the basement? ( trying to cover ALL bases here).
11. Use other water holding items: sanitary napkins, gel pads, tampons,

Sorry you are having the OPPOSITE of too much moisture. THe LG is pretty adaptable.

How are the temperatures holding??